2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Jake Golday, #11
School (Code)	OHCI (Cincinnati)
Class Yr	RS SR
Height, Weight	6032e, 240e
40 Yd Dash	4.55e
Position/Depth	LB/1st
Honors/Captainship	’24 Big XII HM
Season Viewed (yr)	2024
Games Watched	@FLCE, @COUN, @IAST, TXCU
Scout Name / Date	Mike Bey 4/10/25

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2024	12 GP, 8 GS, 58 Tkl, 7.5 TFL, 1.5 Sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR, 2 PBU
2023	@ARCE 11 GP, 11 GS, 84 Tkl, 7 TFL, 4.5 TFL, 1 FF, 2 FR, 5 QBH
2022	@ARCE 11 GP, 37 Tkl, 5.5 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 FF
2021	@ARCE 4 GP, 4 Tkl

Player Summary:

RS SR and 1 yr full-time starter at LB where he aligns primarily as a SAM in the 3-3-5 defense of OHCI. He transferred from ARCE in ’24. He possesses elite height with ordinary weight and below-average speed with a lean build. He is a solid athlete showing a combination of good explosiveness, solid COD, balance, acceleration, lateral quickness and agility with sufficient play speed. He is good against the run. He displays good FBI as he reads run/pass and exhibits solid lateral quickness and agility with above-average range and instincts in pursuit against both inside and outside runs. He plays with good leverage and explodes through the hips as he tackles the RB with ordinary AA. In zone coverage, he is above-average as he backpedals quickly to get to his spot while showing good awareness as he defends the curl zone and does a solid job of reading the QB. He reacts quickly to the ball being thrown and quickly makes the stop. If beaten initially in rare instances where he is in man coverage by RB with good play speed, he recovers well and uses his very good instincts as he takes the correct angle in pursuit before making the tackle preventing a potential touchdown. He displays decent ball skills as he puts his helmet on the ball or punches the ball out of the RB hands forcing a fumble. When asked to blitz, he is a solid pass rusher as he quickly penetrates the LOS vs OL with marginal AA and reactive athleticism and plays with a solid motor before finishing up with a sack. He plays with good mental toughness as he elevates his play in the 4^th qtr. vs the run and pass. Below-average play strength prevents him from disengaging quickly vs OL/TE with solid UOH and grip strength. Lack of quality play speed prevents him from covering RB with good AA consistently in man coverage. 

Scheme Fit:

SAM in 4-3 scheme with zone heavy coverage.

Power Statement:

Intelligent, mentally tough player who plays well against the run and in zone coverage. His good instincts enable him to play faster than his listed 40 time. Lack of quality play strength prevents him from disengaging quickly consistently.