The Minnesota Vikings selected linebacker Jake Golday from the University of Cincinnati with the 51st pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, according to an April 24 announcement. The team acquired the pick after a trade with Carolina, moving back two spots.
Golday joins a linebackers group that already includes former Bearcats Eric Wilson and Ivan Pace, Jr., adding further depth to Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores’ unit. Golday expressed gratitude for his family and support system following his selection, saying, “First and foremost, I just want to thank everybody. I want to thank my family, my entire support staff has always been there for me… I also want to say a huge, huge thank you to the Wilf Family and the entire Vikings organization for believing in me. I’m ready to get to work.”
During his college career, Golday played at Central Arkansas before transferring to Cincinnati for his final two seasons. In 2025 he recorded 105 tackles (39 solo), six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three passes defended and one forced fumble. He was named First-Team All-Big 12 after being Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2024.
Golday reflected on joining fellow Bearcats in Minnesota’s locker room: “It’s exciting… I kept messing about that when I was on my visit saying ‘Might as well get a third Cincinnati linebacker in here.’ … So yeah, I’m just super excited to be [able to] share a locker room with those guys.” He described himself as versatile: “I’ve done a little bit of everything at the college level… But I think this position that I’m going to be put in is going to allow me to do that.” Former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah commented on Golday’s athleticism: “He can really run and carry guys down the slot [in pass coverage]… You’ll see him rush at times, and that versatility.”
At nearly six-foot-five and weighing 239 pounds according to his NFL.com profile, Golday ran a 4.62-second forty-yard dash at the combine and posted a vertical jump of thirty-nine inches—fifth among linebackers this year.
Golday becomes only the third player ever drafted out of Cincinnati by Minnesota since defensive back Robert Tate (1997) and running back Hobson Milner (1982). Looking ahead, he will join Blake Cashman—Minnesota’s starting “green dot” linebacker—and continue developing under Flores’ guidance.