Jake Golday

COLLEGE - CENTRAL ARKANSAS/CINCINNATI

• Played two seasons at Cincinnati (2024-25) after spending three seasons at Central Arkansas (2021-23).
• Appeared in 50 career games, including 31 starts, and totaled 288 total tackles, including 25.5 for loss, 10.5 sacks, seven QB hits, five pass breakups, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
• Played defensive end in his first two seasons at Central Arkansas before moving to linebacker in 2023.
• Became the first Bearcat to post a 100-tackle season since Vikings LB Ivan Pace Jr. did so in 2022 when he posted 105 tackles in 2025.
• Led the Bearcats with 105 tackles in 2025, including six for loss, along with 3.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two QB hits and one forced fumble in 12 starts.
• Saw action in 12 games (eight starts) in 2024, recording 58 total tackles, including seven for loss, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
• Started all 11 games in 2023 at Central Arkansas, posting 84 total tackles (team high), including seven for loss, a career-best 4.5 sacks, along with five QB hits, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
• Appeared in all 11 games in 2022, logging 37 total tackles, including 5.5 for loss, 1.0 sack and one forced fumble.
• Played in four games in 2021 before suffering a torn meniscus and redshirting the rest of the season.

COLLEGE - CENTRAL ARKANSAS/CINCINNATI

• Played two seasons at Cincinnati (2024-25) after spending three seasons at Central Arkansas (2021-23).
• Appeared in 50 career games, including 31 starts, and totaled 288 total tackles, including 25.5 for loss, 10.5 sacks, seven QB hits, five pass breakups, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
• Played defensive end in his first two seasons at Central Arkansas before moving to linebacker in 2023.
• Became the first Bearcat to post a 100-tackle season since Vikings LB Ivan Pace Jr. did so in 2022 when he posted 105 tackles in 2025.
• Led the Bearcats with 105 tackles in 2025, including six for loss, along with 3.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two QB hits and one forced fumble in 12 starts.
• Saw action in 12 games (eight starts) in 2024, recording 58 total tackles, including seven for loss, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
• Started all 11 games in 2023 at Central Arkansas, posting 84 total tackles (team high), including seven for loss, a career-best 4.5 sacks, along with five QB hits, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
• Appeared in all 11 games in 2022, logging 37 total tackles, including 5.5 for loss, 1.0 sack and one forced fumble.
• Played in four games in 2021 before suffering a torn meniscus and redshirting the rest of the season.

HONORS

• First-Team All-Big 12 (2025)
• 2x Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (2025)
• All-Big 12 Honorable Mention (2024)
• United Athletic Conference All-Academic Team (2023)

PREP - ARLINGTON (TENN.)

• Played both outside linebacker and tight end at Arlington, earning first-team all-region honors at both positions.
• Was a team captain his senior year and totaled 70 tackles, including six for loss, on defense and added 27 receptions for 571 yards and five touchdowns en route to the 2020 state playoffs.
• As a junior, posted 72 tackles, including six for loss, 1.5 sacks and one interception.
• Also lettered in baseball and basketball.
• Contributed to the Arlington basketball team that advanced to the 2019-20 district and regional championships with a 26-7 record.

OFF THE FIELD

• Son of Jennifer Green and Clay Golday, who both played college basketball at Union University.
• Has an older brother, Garrett, who played college basketball at Tennessee Tech (2018-20) and Christian Brothers University (2020-21).
• Helped his 14u M33M Elite Team advance to the Jr. NBA World Championships in South Carolina at age 14.
• Started playing football when he was seven years old.
• Was teammates with Kenneth Walker III in high school.
• Married his high school sweetheart, Kameron, in June of 2026.
• Enjoys golf and pickleball.
• Earned an undergraduate degree from Cincinnati in December of 2025.