Ourlads' Profile:
2026 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about JAKE GOLDAY:
Cincinnati | Hometown: Arlington, TN | HT: 6045 | WT: 236 | 40 time: 4.62 | Hand: 0958 | Arm: 3178 | Wing: 7634
Three year starter. First-team All-Big 12 in 2025. Transfer from Central Arkansas where he spent 2021-2023 as a rotational edge rusher. Became a starter at linebacker in 2024 and broke out in 2025. He has a proportional well-defined frame with length and height. Has a high motor with above average agility and incredible speed and range in pursuit. He's been clocked by GPS in the 21-22 mph range chasing. As a result he's made a lot of splash plays. Played inside and overhang and some on the ball on the edge. Solid inside run fits with a downhill and lateral shuffle. Has a burst to meet ball carriers in the hole. Uses strong hands to stun inline blockers and can separate and quickly shed on the move. Notable ability to make plays coming off blocks. Moves well laterally, and can outrun climbing blockers scraping off tackle. Adept at chasing down ball carriers across the field. Gathers and drives through tackles rarely missing. Shows timing and speed blitzing the edge or inside and with a clear path chases down quarterbacks on the move. Solid zone pass cover skill with depth of drop and ability to read the quarterback and balance multiple routes. Finds the throwing lane and is quick to break on the ball. Has limited man cover reps but should handle flat and vertical releases. As he's relatively new playing in the box, key diagnose and downhill trigger can be a little late. Occasionally takes the back door working downhill or off a block and loses his path to the ball. At times gets upright and stalled taking on interior blockers. Needs to refine and add to his blitz technique. There's still some development needed, but Golday has the skillset and size NFL teams covet at linebacker. Should make an early impact on special teams.
2025 Stats: 105 T, 6 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 3 PBU, 2 QBH, 1 FF. OSR:9/33. 10-1.61. Draft projection: 1st/2nd round