One quarterback evaluator watching Justin Merriman closely at April’s New Jersey Under Armour Regional summed it up simply.
“That kid is nasty. He’s on another level.”
That reaction is becoming increasingly common and certainly was during April’s event at Hackensack High School. The 2029 Maryland quarterback turned in one of the strongest overall performances at the camp while earning quarterback MVP honors against several older prospects.
“It means a lot,” Merriman told Irish Sports Daily. “It shows I can compete at a high level.”
Merriman recently moved from Wayne N.J., to Baltimore, where he’s set to suit up for St. Frances Academy. Much of his current focus is centered on maximizing his long-term potential.
“I always push myself,” Merriman said. “I want to become the best version of myself, not just a good version of myself.”
The son of former NFL Pro Bowl defensive end Shawne Merriman, the 2029 signal-caller already holds offers from schools like Maryland, Syracuse, Boston College, UConn and UNLV.
Merriman believed he displayed more than just arm talent at the New Jersey Under Armour Regional.
“I showed my speed even in the 40,” he said. “I showed my physicality. I showed my leadership, which I think is the biggest part of being a quarterback. And I showed that I could fit in with the best of the best.”
Notre Dame has not entered the picture yet, but Merriman is already quite familiar with the Irish program.
“I know the quarterback system they have over there,” Merriman said. “They pull in a lot of great quarterbacks. I know they just got Teddy Jarrard. It’s one of my dream schools.”
Merriman also pointed to Notre Dame’s overall atmosphere as something that stands out to him early in the process.
“It’s just an amazing school, amazing culture,” he said.
As recruiting continues developing, Merriman already has a strong sense of what he will ultimately prioritize in a program.
“A place that is not necessarily the best for everyone, just the one that is best for me. Where I know I can fit in their system and grow and develop, not only as a player, but also as a person.”
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