It may not seem like it, but Tennessee does have other quarterbacks on its roster not named “Nico.” In fact, the Vols may have one of the most talented quarterback rooms in the nation.
Of course, everyone knows Nico Iamaleava, the highly touted prospect who didn’t exactly live up to the billing last season, his first as the Vols’ starter. Tennessee has two other quarterbacks that received rave reviews by recruiting analysts: Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre.
Things were pretty simple last offseason. The Vols would start Iamaleava and, barring Merklinger being a phenom, senior Gaston Moore would be the backup. Easy peasy. Well, things are a bit more complicated now.
Merklinger has a year-long head start on MacIntyre to land the backup role. Considering MacIntyre just got on campus in December, Merklinger has the inside track on coveted first-team snaps and all the second-team snaps he can handle. That’s been the case so far during spring practice.
That means Merklinger will almost assuredly be the backup this season. Experience? Barely. The redshirt freshman just played in two games last season, completing just two passes for 17 yards.
“He has a different feel about himself out on the field,” Tennessee offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle said following practice on Wednesday. “He’s not pressing. He’s calm. You can see it in the pocket. When your feet are calm, your eyes are calm in the pocket.
“You can drive the ball all over the field. He has had a really good start to camp here. Really happy with where he is at. He is really focused on cleaning up his fundamentals. All that has translated to pretty high quarterback play out on the field right now.”
Merklinger’s play last season could best be described as hesitant. After all, he didn’t get many opportunities in games or practice, so he certainly didn’t want to flub up when he actually got an opportunity.
“That’s the classic freshman thing, not wanting to go out there and not do good,” Halzle said. “He’s done with that. He’s way past that now.”
With no threat of losing his starting job, Iamaleava has been mentoring Merklinger. According to Halzle, the two are seeing the game at a different level than last season.
“Jake’s grown tremendously,” Iamaleava said. “Really, my brother. I love Jake. He pushes me every day. Overall, as a player, he has improved just with the offense, getting the offense down and just being comfortable out there. I think he has improved a lot.”
With the transfer portal, it’s unlikely the Vols will have as talented of a quarterback crew next year. Either Merklinger or MacIntyre could transfer at any moment if Iamaleava decides to turn pro after this season. Or either could transfer if he returns for the 2026 season. Such is the soap opera of modern-day college football.
If Merklinger or MacIntyre play significantly this season, that’s probably not good. That circumstance would likely only come about if Iamaleava got hurt. He should be better equipped to avoid that this year.
“Weight-wise, I’m at 220 right now,” the lanky, 6-foot-6 Iamaleava said. “I want to get up to 225-230 just to endure some of those hits. I think I’m in a good spot right now.”
Iamaleava said he played “around 215” pounds last season. He looked fragile at times, especially when he ran the ball, which needs to be a part of his game. If that part of his game knocks him to the bench, Merklinger had better be ready. Per UT’s coaches, he’s taken a step in that direction.
