Jake Golday

Jake Golday
No. 41 – Minnesota Vikings
PositionLinebacker
Roster status
Active
Personal information
Born (2003-05-23) May 23, 2003 (age 23)
Arlington, Tennessee, U.S.
Listed height
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight
240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High schoolArlington
CollegeCentral Arkansas (2021–2023)
Cincinnati (2024–2025)
NFL draft2026: 2nd round, 51st overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics as of Week 9, 2026
Tackles9
Forced fumbles1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Jake Golday (born May 23, 2003) is an American professional football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Central Arkansas Bears and Cincinnati Bearcats and was selected by the Vikings in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft.

Early life

Golday attended Arlington High School in Arlington, Tennessee. He committed to Central Arkansas University to play college football.

College career

Golday played three years at Central Arkansas from 2021 to 2023. In 2023, he had 84 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Golday transferred to the University of Cincinnati after the season. In his first season with Cincinnati in 2024, he started eight of 12 games, recording 58 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He returned to Cincinnati in 2025 as a starter. In the 2025 season, he led the team with 105 tackles in addition to 3.5 sacks.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand spanWingspan40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 4+1⁄2 in
(1.94 m)		239 lb
(108 kg)		31+7⁄8 in
(0.81 m)		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		6 ft 4+7⁄8 in
(1.95 m)		4.62 s1.60 s2.66 s4.32 s6.89 s39.0 in
(0.99 m)		10 ft 5 in
(3.18 m)		22 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day

Golday was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round with the 51st overall pick of the 2026 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ "UCA's Golday earns UAC academic honor". 501 LIFE Magazine. December 13, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  2. ↑ Springer, Scott. "Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday could have major impact in Big 12 football". The Enquirer.
  3. ↑ Springer, Scott. "Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday named Big 12 Newcomer of Week for game at UCF". The Enquirer.
  4. ↑ "Bearcats Golday, Walker with added inspiration to mature as football players".
  5. ↑ Springer, Scott. "Big 12 Defensive Player of Week hopes to lead Cincinnati Bearcats to home-opening win". The Enquirer.
  6. ↑ "Cincinnati Bearcats Football Star Raising 2026 NFL Draft Stock Through Early Portion of 2025 Season". Cincinnati Bearcats On SI. September 8, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Jake Golday". Gobearcats.com. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Jake Golday Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Jake Golday College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  10. ↑ Kleifield, Rob (April 24, 2026). "Vikings Draft Cincinnati Linebacker Jake Golday with 51st Pick". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings. Retrieved April 24, 2026.