Jake Golday

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

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