Jake Golday

NFL Draft Profile: Jake Golday

Position: Linebacker | School: Cincinnati | Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6'4" | Weight: 240 lbs | Archetype: Hybrid (Run Stopper / Blitz Specialist)

College Career Summary

Jake Golday’s journey to the NFL is a testament to the "late bloomer" trajectory. After playing three seasons at Central Arkansas, where he posted a monstrous 84-tackle season in 2023, he transferred to Cincinnati in 2024 to prove he could compete at the PFF-graded Power 4 level. He didn't just compete; he excelled. In 2025, Golday became the undisputed leader of the Bearcats' defense, leading the Big 12 in tackles for much of the season and earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors. His basketball background (both parents and his brother played college hoops) is evident in his rare length and verticality, making him one of the most physically imposing linebackers in the 2026 class.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 50

• Total Tackles: 268 (105 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 26.5 (6.0 in 2025)

• Sacks: 10.0 (3.5 in 2025)

• Interceptions: 0 (5 career PDs)

• Forced Fumbles: 4 (1 in 2025)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. Nebraska	2 Tkl, 1.0 Sk	B+	Physical presence in a low-scoring war; sack was a "pancake" on the QB.
vs. Bowling Green	12 Tkl, 1.0 Sk	A	High-volume tackling; pulvuerized the QB in a mid-game sack.
vs. NW State	0 Stats	B-	Limited snaps in 70-0 blowout; solid alignment and leadership.
@ Kansas	9 Tkl	B+	Cleaned up the second level; disciplined against a mobile QB.
vs. Iowa State	12 Tkl, 1.0 Sk	A+	Season Best. Named Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week.
vs. UCF	8 Tkl	B	Solid in space; directed the 3-3-5 defense flawlessly.
@ Oklahoma State	10 Tkl	A-	Mental Toughness. Played through a physical trenches battle.
vs. Baylor	9 Tkl, 0.5 Sk	B+	Relentless pursuit; half-sack came in a crucial 3rd-down stop.
@ Utah	11 Tkl	B	High Stamina; battled through 4 quarters of a blowout loss.
vs. Arizona	10 Tkl	B-	Struggled slightly with Arizona's perimeter speed but led in tackles.
vs. BYU	13 Tkl	A-	High Motor; was everywhere despite the team's offensive struggles.
@ TCU	10 Tkl	C+	Worst Game. Tackling numbers high, but gave up yardage in coverage.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Elite Length & Height: At 6'4", Golday possesses "box-safety" length with "edge-rusher" frame potential. He is an outlier in the 2026 class for his wingspan.

• Football Intelligence (FBI): Excellent Play Recognition. He is a "student of the game" who reportedly spent the 2025 offseason mastering the "Will" and "Mike" positions to be positionless.

• Tackling Range: His tackle numbers aren't "fluff." He has exceptional Pursuit and uses his long arms to snag ball carriers that smaller LBs would miss.

• Blitz Specialist Potential: He plays with a High Motor and utilizes an "explosive" first step to penetrate the line of scrimmage.

Weaknesses

• Play Strength: Despite his frame, he can struggle to disengage from massive Big 12 guards. He needs to add functional "man-strength" to his lower half to avoid being "washed out."

• Man Coverage Speed: He is a solid zone defender, but he lacks the elite Agility and "recovery speed" to mirror NFL-caliber RBs or slot receivers in man-to-man coverage.

• Leverage: Being 6'4" is a double-edged sword; he naturally plays "high," which allows shorter, powerful blockers to get into his chest and drive him back.

Scheme Fit: Ideal SAM Linebacker in a 4-3 or a Hybrid "Joker" in a 3-3-5 defense.

NFL Comparison: Anthony Walker Jr. / K.J. Wright

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 19/20 | Physical Tools: 18/20 | Attributes: 17/20 | Athleticism: 16/20 | IQ: 19/20

Final Grade: 89/100

Jake Golday is a "coach's dream" prospect. He brings the maturity of a five-year college veteran with the physical upside of a player who still hasn't reached his maximum weight capacity. While he may never be a sideline-to-sideline coverage specialist like Arion Carter, his ability to diagnose plays and finish tackles at 6'4" makes him a high-floor starter. His Leadership at Cincinnati transformed a defense, and that intangible value will carry weight in NFL war rooms.

Draft Projection: 3rd - 4th Round