A 6-foot-4, 240-pound Cincinnati linebacker with an edge-rushing background who Minnesota drafted in the second round in 2026.
Jake Golday brings a hybrid edge-to-linebacker skill set to the Vikings after Minnesota took him in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He started his college career at Central Arkansas before finishing at Cincinnati, and his combination of size and sideline-to-sideline range made him a standout on a First-Team All-Big 12 defense in his final season.
Path to the league
Golday began his college career at Central Arkansas before transferring to Cincinnati for his final two seasons. The Vikings selected him with the 51st overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, making him the third Bearcat in Minnesota's linebacker room alongside veterans Ivan Pace Jr. and Eric Wilson.
Career highlights
At 6-foot-4 and roughly 240 pounds, Golday profiles as a big, explosive linebacker suited for work near the line of scrimmage, with an athletic background as a former edge defender that shows up in his pass-rush ability. His 2025 season at Cincinnati was the best of his career and the platform for his second-round selection.
2025 season recap
Golday's 2025 season at Cincinnati was a breakout year: he piled up 105 tackles (39 solo), including six for a loss, 3.5 sacks, three passes defended and a forced fumble, earning First-Team All-Big 12 recognition. That production carried him into the 2026 draft, where the Vikings took him in round two.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Jake Golday
- Vikings.com: Jake Golday 2026 NFL Draft profile
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- Cincinnati
- Hometown
- Arlington, TN, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
