New Tennessee Vols addition grew up rooting for the Georgia Bulldogs
For years, Tennessee Vols fans have heard about numerous players that grew up rooting for UT only to sign with another college football program. Trevor Lawrence, Tee Higgins, Amari Rodgers, and Travis Etienne each grew up cheering for Tennessee, but they all played college football at Clemson. Ladd McConkey and Tate Ratledge both grew up […]
For years, Tennessee Vols fans have heard about numerous players that grew up rooting for UT only to sign with another college football program.
Trevor Lawrence, Tee Higgins, Amari Rodgers, and Travis Etienne each grew up cheering for Tennessee, but they all played college football at Clemson.
Ladd McConkey and Tate Ratledge both grew up in houses that rooted for the Vols, but they both landed with the Georgia Bulldogs.
You can see how that's a frustrating storyline for Tennessee fans.
Vols fans, however, finally have a player that grew up rooting for Georgia who decided to don the Orange and White in college.
2024 four-star quarterback Jake Merklinger signed with Tennessee in December after a standout high school career in Savannah, GA.
Merklinger revealed during a recent appearance on The Players Lounge Tennessee that he was a Georgia fan while growing up in Savannah.
"So, my mom went to Georgia," said Merklinger while speaking with teammate Omari Thomas. "I did grow up a Georgia fan. I grew up looking up to (former Bulldogs QB) Jake Fromm. I like the way he played. I would go to the games and he was always playing so that was cool."
Merklinger may have grown up cheering for Georgia, but he's all Vol now. And the passion of Tennessee fans is a big reason why.
"Neyland was by far the craziest place I ever visited," said Merklinger. "That place gets loud. We went to multiple games. I'm super excited to play in Neyland."
"I'm excited to be here," added Merklinger. "I love Knoxville. I love the people in Knoxville. You guys are the best fans in the country. I'm excited to get to work and play in Neyland."
If Merklinger ends up winning some big games as Tennessee's quarterback (he'll serve as the primary backup to Nico Iamaleava as a true freshman in 2024), I have a feeling we'll be hearing a lot about his Georgia fandom from his childhood.
It'll certainly be nice for Tennessee fans to finally be on the other side of that narrative.
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