Michael Merdinger News, Rumors, Updates - Liberty Flames | FOX Sports

Commits to Minnesota Merdinger has committed to Minnesota for the 2026 season, Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com reports.

Impact Merdinger notified his plans to enter the transfer portal back in December, and he's now already landed on a new squad for his redshirt sophomore campaign. The 6-foot-2 quarterback played with Liberty in the 2025 season, completing 21 of 41 passes for 350 yards with one passing touchdown and zero interceptions, along with 19 rushes for 28 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He'll have three years of eligibility to use up with the Golden Gophers, that is if he ends up staying there.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Entering portal Merdinger plans to enter the transfer portal, 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Merdinger transferred from UNC to Liberty last offseason, and after one season with the Flames, he's on the move once again. The redshirt freshman started Liberty's regular-season finale against Kennesaw State and went 12-for-21 with 212 passing yards and two total touchdowns (one passing, one rushing). Merdinger will have three years of eligibility remaining.

DECEMBER 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Two TDs in spot start Merdinger went 12-for-21 for 212 yards and one touchdown and ran eight times for 13 yards and a score against KSU on Saturday.

Impact The redshirt freshman had to start because Ethan Vasko missed the game with an injury. With how Vasko has played this season, though, Merdinger was an upgrade if anything. Maybe he will get a crack at being the starter in 2026.

NOVEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

In line to start Week 14 Merdinger will be Liberty's starting quarterback Saturday against Kennesaw State, Bryson Gordon of NewsAdvance.com reports.

Impact Ethan Vasko (undisclosed) is out, leaving Liberty to require someone else under center Saturday. The quarterback to take Vasko's place will be Merdinger, who has not started since Week 5. The latter was relatively unimpressive then, completing six passes for 77 yards and getting negative yardage out of seven rushing attempts against Old Dominion.

NOVEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Joseph throws 3 TD passes and Old Dominion shuts down Liberty in the 4th for a 21-7 victory

Colton Joseph throws three touchdown passes as Old Dominion beats Liberty 21-7 on Saturday night

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 • Associated Press

Struggles in spot start Merdinger went 6-for-11 for 77 yards against ODU on Saturday.

Impact Ethan Vasko (upper body) couldn't play, so Merdinger got the call to start for the Flames. Clearly, he's not about to take the starting gig long term, and the Flames are surely hoping Vasko can return for their next game.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in spot start Merdinger went 6-for-11 for 77 yards against ODU on Saturday.

Impact Ethan Vasko (upper body) couldn't play, so Merdinger got the call to start for the Flames. Clearly, he's not about to take the starting gig long term, and the Flames are surely hoping Vasko can return for their next game.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as co-starter Merdinger is listed as a co-starter on Liberty's Week 5 depth chart, per ASeaofRed.com.

Impact Merdinger is listed as a co-starter alongside Ethan Vasko, who suffered an injury in Liberty's loss to James Madison. Vasko was spotted in a sling after getting knocked out of the game against the Dukes, and his status for Saturday remains up in the air. If he can't go, Merdinger looks like the next man up. He completed 4-of-10 passes for 37 yards against the Dukes.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sees action in reserve With Ethan Vasko suffering an apparent arm injury, Merdinger say time Saturday against JMU. He went 2-for-6 for 21 yards and ran four times for 18 yards.

Impact If Vasko can't play next week against ODU, and his arm was in a sling so that seems highly plausible, Merdinger will likely get the gig. He's a redshirt junior, and he was in a QB battle with Vasko in the offseason.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Won't compete for starting role Merdinger is no longer in the running to open the season as the Flames' starting quarterback, according to A Sea of Red.

Impact Merdinger lost ground in the race to become the Flames' starting quarterback and will probably end up as the third-string signal-caller behind Ethan Vasko and Ryan Burger. Merdinger spent the 2024 season at UNC, where he completed nine of 12 passes for 86 yards and an interception in his lone appearance.

AUGUST 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Joining the Flames Merdinger has announced his commitment to Liberty, Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Merdinger will make the move to Liberty after spending his true freshman season with the Tarheels. The 6-foot-1 freshman, a three-star prospect in the class of 2024, threw for 86 yards (9-of-12) and one interception in UNC's bowl game against UConn.

JANUARY 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Enters transfer portal Merdinger has entered the transfer portal, Pete Nakos of On3 reports.

Impact Merdinger was part of North Carolina's 2024 team. But after redshirting its season, he has entered the portal to officially begin his collegiate career elsewhere instead of UNC.

DECEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE