KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 28: Jake Golday #11 of the Cincinnati Bearcats pursues a play on defense during a college football game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on August 28, 2025 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
We continue our 2026Ā NFL DraftĀ preview of draft prospects that could interest theĀ Dallas Cowboys**.**Today we are looking at linebacker Jake Golday from Cincinnati.
LBĀ
Cincinnati Bearcats
SeniorĀ
Recruit rating N/A
6ā4ā
239 lbs
In his first year at Central Arkansas, Golday played in four games and had a redshirt year. His early career redshirt usage came down to a torn meniscus and he played only 17 defensive snaps.
In 2022, he became a real contributor and was credited with 37 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss with one sack, featuring in 11 games.
His third season was his breakout. He had a team-high of 84 tackles, seven TFL, and 4.5 sacks, plus four double-digit tackle games and a season-high 14 tackles at Austin Peay. He also earned United Athletic Conference All-Academic Team recognition that season.
In 2024, Golday transferred to Cincinnati and became one of the Big 12ās top linebackers, finishing second on the team with 58 tackles and seven TFL and earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. His signature performance was at UCF where made six tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery that killed a potential scoring drive and helped spark Cincinnatiās first points. He started eight games and played in all 12, and played through injuries late in the year that limited him over the final three games.
Last year became the season that made him a draft name. He finished the year with 105 tackles, 3.5 sacks, six TFL, one forced fumble, three passes defended, and he had multiple high-volume games. He had 14 tackles versus Bowling Green, 12 tackles against Utah, and 13 tackles with a TFL againstĀ Arizona.
681 Defensive Snaps
105 Total Tackles
6 TFL
3.5 Sack
18 Total Pressures
3 Pass Breakups
1 Forced Fumble
10 Missed Tackles
0 Penalties
On the line: 17%
Box: 46%
Slot: 36%
2023: United Athletic Conference Football All-Academic Team
2025: First-Team All-Big 12
Overall**ā**81.4
Speed- 80
Acceleration- 76
Agility- 72
Strength- 79
Tackling- 80
Run Defense- 85
Pass Rush- 64
Coverage- 78
Discipline- 99
Golday fits best as a nickel-heavy MIKE linebacker on an odd front that keeps him clean and lets him win with diagnosis, range, and finishing rather than asking him to stack-and-shed. If defensive coordinators let him trigger downhill on run fits, while also using him as a pressure player using his closing burst then they will get the best version of him. Early in his career heās most valuable as a high-motor three-down linebacker who lives in pursuit and tackle production, with his ceiling tied to how well he holds up taking on NFL blocks.
Jake Goldayās tape reads like a modern toolsy linebacker who wins with athleticism. Heās long, rangy and quick to trigger, with good closing burst and a downhill temperament that shows up in high tackle production and frequent negative plays. His versatility is fantastic thanks to his edge to linebacker conversion background, which has given him a good ability to blitz, and comfort working in zone.
The main concerns are mostly physical. Taking on and shedding blocks from guards, maintaining gap discipline when he over-triggers, and proving to be more consistent in man coverage are big areas of development. If he refines these issues he profiles as a starting-caliber linebacker, and if not, he still projects as a high-end special teams and core rotation player with pressure package value.
K.J. Wright
52nd
50th
(Consensus ranking based on the average ranking from 90 major scoring services, including BTB)
LIV Golf's future appears uncertain as reports suggest Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund may withdraw funding after investing $5 billion. Despite assurances for the 2026 season, the tour faces challenges from low ratings and strong competition from the PGA Tour.
Wings shut down questions about Fudd and Bueckers' relationship
Damon Jones, former NBA player, to change plea to guilty in conspiracy case involving Terry Rozier.
Indiana Fever bolster roster by signing veteran guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough
Joe Cole advises Arsenal to adjust their attack for the Man City match.
Former Indiana basketball players appeal dismissal of their lawsuit against the school.
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.