What are the Vikings Getting with Cincinnati LB Jake Golday?

The Minnesota Vikings selected Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday with the 51st overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, adding a leader to the linebacker group heading into training camp.

The 22-year-old, Arlington, Tennessee native spent the first three seasons of his college career at Central Arkansas after redshirting as a freshman in 2021. He appeared in four games as a reserve that year, finishing with four tackles while also missing time due to a torn meniscus. In 2022, he played in all 11 games in a rotational role, recording 37 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble. In 2023, he stepped into a full-time starting role, finishing with 84 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and another forced fumble.

Golday transferred to Cincinnati for his final two seasons. In his first year with the program, he posted 58 total tackles (28 solo), two passes broken up, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He followed that with a breakout senior campaign in 2025, finishing with 104 total tackles (38 solo), three passes broken up, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

That season, Golday earned an 82.4 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking 52nd among 809 qualifying linebackers. His coverage grade of 77.5 ranked 70th, while his run-defense grade of 90.6 ranked 17th at the position. His pass-rush grade of 61.1 ranked 502nd among linebackers. He generated 18 total pressures and allowed a 106.5 passer rating in coverage, while being charged with 10 missed tackles over the course of the season.

At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, Golday measured in at six-foot-four, 239 pounds with 31 7/8-inch arms and 9 1/2-inch hands. He ran a 4.62-second 40-yard dash with a 1.60-second 10-yard split, a 7.02-second three-cone drill and a 4.34-second 20-yard shuttle, while also posting a 39-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-five broad jump.

According to Next Gen Stats prospect score breakdown, Golday earned a total score of 83, which ranked second among linebackers. His production score of 82 also ranked second, while his estimated athleticism score of 79 ranked fifth at the position.

Golday is a strong fit for the Vikings defense due to his size, power and ability to impact plays near the line of scrimmage. He provides the type of physicality Minnesota has leaned on in its linebacker unit, using heavy hands to shed blocks and close running lanes with force.

In Minnesota’s structure under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, his traits align with the aggressive, pressure-heavy approach that values linebackers who can play fast and downhill. While he still needs refinement in space and in processing at the next level, his natural strength and urgency make him a candidate to contribute early while developing into a potential starter.