Jake Golday, Former Cincinnati LB, drafted by Vikings in NFL draft

[ASFN Admin]

Former Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday, who was discovered at Central Arkansas by UC's personnel staff, has been drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the NFL draft.

The moment that @GoldayJake became a Viking#NFLDraft | April 23-25 on NFL Network/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/mb7mAXIkZf

— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) April 25, 2026

The 6-foot-4.5", 239-pound Golday was rated by many as UC's top prospect. ESPN had him rated as the No. 49 overall prospect.

Golday joins former Cincinnati Bearcat linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. in Minnesota.

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Golday led Central Arkansas in tackles in 2023 with 84, including seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. General manager Zach Grant's staff then found the Arlington, Tennessee native on tape and Golday came to the Big 12, where he had 58.5 tackles in 2024 with seven tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Golday led the Bearcats in tackles last season with 105, including six TFL, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

You just drafted a BEAST, @Vikings!#NFLDraft | @prolinkworkspic.twitter.com/Sha8HRbSuW

— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) April 25, 2026

Golday was First Team Big 12 and became the first Bearcat since Pace Jr. in 2022 to have over 100 tackles in a season.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Jake Golday, former Cincinnati LB, drafted by Vikings in NFL draft

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