Cincinnati LB Jake Golday Selected in the Second Round of NFL Draft
The Minnesota Vikings added a dynamic defensive piece Friday night, selecting former Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday with the 51st overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Golday’s selection marks the program’s 11th straight year with at least one player drafted. It’s also the highest a Bearcats defender has come off the board since Sauce Gardner was taken in the first round by the New York Jets in 2022.
(Photo: Taylor Keeton / Bearcatsportshub)
“I’m thrilled for Jake and his family,” Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield said following the announcement. “We believed from early on he had the tools to play at the next level. What really pushed him into this position, though, was his consistency and approach. He worked as hard as anyone in our program and led the right way every day. Minnesota is getting a fast, instinctive linebacker with a lot of room to grow.”
Golday now joins a familiar group in Minnesota, linking up with fellow former Bearcats linebackers Ivan Pace Jr. and Eric Wilson.
At 6-foot-4 and around 240 pounds, the Arlington, Tennessee native brings an intriguing blend of size, speed, and versatility. His path to the NFL wasn’t typical—Golday began his college career at Central Arkansas before transferring to Cincinnati, where he quickly established himself as one of the Big 12’s top linebackers.
In 2025, Golday led the Bearcats with 105 tackles while adding six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and multiple pass breakups. His production earned him First Team All-Big 12 honors and national recognition, while his 8.8 tackles per game ranked among the best in both the conference and the country. A year earlier, he made an immediate impact in his first season at the FBS level, collecting 58 tackles and seven tackles for loss on his way to All-Big 12 honorable mention.
Speaking on a post-pick zoom call, Golday credited his unconventional journey for shaping his game.
“It’s been an amazing ride,” he said after being drafted. “I came in as someone who didn’t have a lot of big offers, but I made the most of every opportunity. Central Arkansas helped me grow, and Cincinnati was the perfect place for me to take that next step.”
(AP Photo)
Originally a defensive end early in his college career, Golday’s transition to linebacker unlocked his full skill set. His ability to rush the passer, drop into coverage, and play sideline-to-sideline made him one of the more versatile defenders in this year’s class.
That versatility is exactly what Minnesota is banking on.
“I’m ready to get to work,” Golday said. “I’ll do whatever is asked of me. I think my ability to play multiple roles is what separates me, and I’m excited to show that at the next level.”
Golday adds to a growing list of NFL-ready defenders developed by the Bearcats program. With 19 players drafted since 2021 and 52 since 2000, Cincinnati has firmly established itself as a consistent pipeline to the league.
For Golday, though, the focus now shifts forward—toward earning a role, contributing early, and continuing the steady climb that has defined his football journey.