Jake Golday Selected 51st overall By Minnesota Vikings

Former Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday became the first Bearcat selected in the 2026 NFL Draft after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 51st overall pick.

Golday, started his career at Central Arkansas back in 2022 where he spent his first three seasons before transferring to Cincinnati, where he spent the last two seasons in the middle of the Bearcats defense.

Since arriving in Cincinnati back in 2024, Golday has quickly developed into one of the most promising defensive prospects in all of the country as the Tennessee native continued to climb NFL Draft boards after an outstanding showing at the NFL Combine back in February.

Golday burst onto the scene quickly in 2024, where he recorded 58 tackles and seven tackles for loss in his first season under Scott Satterfield, picking up All-Big 12 Honorable Mention Honors.

However, in 2025, Golday led the Bearcats in tackles (105), 3.5 sacks and six tackles for loss becoming the first Bearcat to record a 100 plus tackle season since former Bearcat Ivan Pace did so back in 2022. Meanwhile, for Golday, he was tabbed a first team Big 12 defensive selection after a stellar senior season.

As Golday went through the draft process, teams quickly fell in love with his playstyle as the veteran linebacker flashed his ability to get downhill and make plays in the open field, but also his explosiveness and ability to move laterally with a knack to find the football. Now, for Golday, he finds himself in an opportunity to come in right away and make an immediate impact and should be a guy that is fighting for a starting spot right away.

What, is even more impressive about Golday, is that we really haven't seen the best of him yet, as he has only played the linebacker position for just over three years essentially after being used as a linebacker, tight end and defensive edge rusher while ta Central Arkansas. Now, for Golday, it will be interesting to see how his game translates to the next level due to his skillset, especially if Golday is given the opportunity to be used off the ball as a rusher and given the opportunity to get his hands in the dirt and rush the quarterback.

Congratulations to Jake and his family as he gets ready to take the next step in his playing career.