Jake Golday
Career Summary
Jake Golday is a Minnesota Vikings linebacker who played at Central Arkansas and Cincinnati.
Golday entered the NFL as Minnesota's second-round selection in 2026 after earning first-team All-Big 12 recognition at Cincinnati.
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Early Life
Golday grew up in Arlington, Tennessee, in a family with a college basketball background.
He began playing football at age seven. His parents, Jennifer Green and Clay Golday, both played basketball at Union, and his brother Garrett also played college basketball.
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High School
Golday played linebacker and tight end at Arlington High School.
A senior captain, he earned first-team all-region recognition on both sides of the ball. His senior season included 70 tackles and 27 receptions for 571 yards and five touchdowns. He also competed in basketball and baseball.
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College Career
Golday played at Central Arkansas before transferring to Cincinnati.
He began his Central Arkansas career in 2021, when a torn meniscus limited him to four games. After playing defensive end during his first two seasons, he moved to linebacker in 2023 and led the team with 84 tackles.
At Cincinnati, he recorded 58 tackles in 2024 and 105 in 2025. Across the two programs, he appeared in 50 games with 31 starts.
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Path to the NFL
Minnesota selected Golday 51st overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Vikings took the Cincinnati linebacker in the second round after trading back two positions with Carolina.
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NFL Career
Golday began his NFL career with the Vikings in 2026.
He appeared in Minnesota's season-opening 39–22 win over Green Bay and recorded one solo tackle.
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Career Accomplishments
Golday earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2025.
He received honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition in 2024 and United Athletic Conference academic recognition at Central Arkansas in 2023.
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Playing Style
Golday's college experience spans defensive end and linebacker.
He transitioned from defensive end to linebacker at Central Arkansas in 2023, then continued at linebacker during his two Cincinnati seasons.
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Sources for this section
32456, 00-0041495, 5/23/2003, Jake Golday, Jake, Golday
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