FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday.
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2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jake Golday
Jake Golday (LB – Cincinnati)
6-foot-4 | 240 Pounds
Background
Jake Golday originally attended Central Arkansas, where he spent the first three years of his collegiate career, redshirting in 2021 before rotating in the following year and posting 37-5.5-1.0. Took over a starting role in 2023 and went 84-7.0-4.5 before transferring to the Bearcats. Started eight games in 2024 and posted 58-7.0-1.5. Became a full-time starter in 2025 and went 105-6.0-3.5.
Positives
Tall, long-limbed weakside linebacker with four years of production under his belt. Experience comes through in his overall polish and technique. Reads keys patiently to avoid false steps. Golday is a smooth, rangy athlete who flows well to the ball when working laterally. Does a nice job of getting extension, keeping his head up and locating the football when playing off of blocks.
Golday shows a good motor in pursuit and works through the whistle. Length gives him an impressive radius. Has been a reliable tackler throughout his career. Hits through opponents and can deliver some big hits to help set the tone defensively. Long strides allow him to make smooth spot drops into deeper zones. Cincinnati felt confident letting him shade over opponents lined up in the slot.
The Bearcats product can keep the play in front of him when working in coverage. Sniffs out screens quickly and has the range to get over and make the tackle. Can use his length to disrupt opponents when pattern-matching in zone. Has an ideal physical/athletic profile for work in man coverage against opposing tight ends. The team used him more as a pass-rusher this year.
Negatives
A bit older than average after spending five years in school. Smoother than he is explosive as a mover, and also lacks an elite closing burst in pursuit. Was often shaded over the slot or otherwise protected from taking on blockers by the defensive scheme.
Golday can occasionally get caught up and knocked around when playing through congestion. Generally does a good job of breaking down in space, but can occasionally overrun his spots, forcing him to attempt difficult adjustments. Has the tools to create pressure as a blitzer, but hasn’t been hugely productive as a pass-rusher. More of a coverage-first linebacker on tape.
Summary
A tall, long-limbed linebacker with smooth movement skills and impressive range, Golday is at his best when working in coverage or when flowing laterally to the ball behind big block-eaters in the run game.
Because of his solid recognition skills and sound tackling, Golday also seems like a relatively safe pick who should be able to work his way onto the field relatively quickly. One of the top linebackers in the class. Should be off the board within the first couple of rounds on draft day.
Projection: Round 1/Round 2
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