Milk’s Got Game: QB Jake Merklinger Teams Up with His MVP—Mom

In the South, football is more than a sport. While we all love the roar of the crowd on Saturday, the real game starts long before kickoff. This year, Milk’s Got Game is celebrating the athletes who shine under the stadium lights and the ones who helped get them there.

With a calm, confident presence, Jake Merklinger is a rising star with the arm talent and football IQ to lead the charge on the field. Long before he suited up and played to a crowd, he had someone else leading the way: his mom, Kim, who’s been cheering, guiding, and grounding him since day one.

Meet Jake Merklinger

Jake is from Savannah, Georgia, where he became a high school football standout at Calvary Day School. There, he carved out a name for himself as a quarterback who thrived under pressure and led his team with calm leadership.

By the end of his high school career, Jake had 3,028 passing yards, 38 touchdown passes and just two interceptions to go along with 450 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. He earned recognition as a top-10 quarterback prospect nationally and was rated a four-star recruit with offers from top programs.

Jake isn’t the loudest voice in the room, but don’t mistake his calm for quiet. On the field, he’s known for his sharp decision-making, quick release, and a mental toughness that makes him a natural leader.

He embodies what fans love in their quarterbacks: smart, steady, and fiercely competitive. And as he begins his collegiate career as a redshirt freshman, he’s doing it with the full backing of a close-knit support system, including the woman who helped shape his journey.

“From the start, real dairy milk played a huge role in keeping me energized and ready to go,” said Jake. “My mom made sure it was part of my routine growing up, and it’s still one of the best ways for me to recover after workouts and stay game ready.”

Jake’s mom Kim has played an instrumental role in his growth, not just as a quarterback, but as a young man. From car rides to youth football, to early mornings, camps, college visits, and everything in between, she’s been a constant source of support and perspective.

She’s helped Jake stay focused and grounded through the spotlight and high expectations, and their bond is built on mutual respect, faith, and love for the game. Whether it’s offering words of wisdom before a big game or helping navigate life off the field, Jake credits his mom as one of his biggest inspirations.

Mom’s Got Game, Too

Milk’s Got Game is highlighting the MVPs behind our favorite athletes. Moms know best. They’re the ones who have been there through early mornings, long drives, big wins, and tough losses. They’ve poured more glasses of milk, packed more snacks, and washed more jerseys than anyone can count.

They’ve also helped raise strong, healthy athletes by making smart choices, like keeping real dairy milk in the rotation.

Milk’s Nutritional Lineup: Built for Performance

When it comes to keeping athletes fueled, milk plays all four quarters. Milk is a real contender on and off the field with its naturally smart combo of:

13 essential nutrients

8g of complete, high-quality protein

Hydrating electrolytes

Carbohydrates for energy

And it’s affordable, easy to find, and easy to drink, whether you're heading to practice or just tackling your to-do list.

Are you lactose-sensitive? No problem. Lactose-free milk is still real dairy milk with all the same benefits, just without the lactose that may cause discomfort.

Why Moms Still Reach for Milk

The moms behind athletes like Jake know the value of smart choices. They’ve trusted milk to fuel their kids’ health and growth from the beginning. Now, as Jake chases his dreams on college fields, Kim still stands behind the power of real dairy.

“I’ve been fueling him with real dairy milk since the first snap,” Kim said.

Real dairy milk supports real performance in real life. Jake’s got game. Do you?

Milk’s Got Game. Do You?

Jake Merklinger grew up with milk in his routine, and whether you're an athlete, a mom, or a fan in the stands, you can make milk part of your winning routine, too.

Fuel Up with Real Milk

This season, choose a hydration and recovery drink that’s stood the test of time. Whether you’re chasing trophies or chasing kids around the kitchen, milk’s got game and so do you.

Follow along at MilksGotGame.com and on our social channels for recipes, behind-the-scenes content, and more ways to celebrate milk.