Jake Golday

Draft Projection

Measurements

Athletic Testing

College Statistics

Strengths

• Freakish athletic profile with elite size-speed combination creates immediate attention - his length at 6'4" with sub-4.6 speed and explosive testing numbers give him physical traits that check every box for the modern NFL linebacker.
• Closing burst in the open field is violent and sudden, allowing him to erase cushion rapidly when ball carriers think they have space or quarterbacks believe they can escape the pocket as a spy.
• Fires into contact like he's shot from a cannon when playing downhill, generating pop through his pads and showing legitimate knockback power against tight ends and fullbacks at the point of attack.
• Sideline-to-sideline range jumps off the screen thanks to his top-end speed and pursuit angles - he chases plays down from the backside consistently and has the wheels to recover when initially out of position.
• Wraps up reliably in space and finishes most of his tackle opportunities, showing solid fundamentals breaking down and securing ball carriers despite his rangy playing style that could invite inconsistency.
• Versatility as a blitzer translates from his defensive end background, bringing a developed pass rush repertoire including ghost moves, long-arms, and stick techniques that create pressure on third downs.
• Motor runs hot throughout games with consistent fourth-quarter energy, pursuing every play with urgency and displaying the kind of effort level that coaches trust in critical moments late in tight contests.
• Takes on blocks with proper hand placement and has improved his ability to stack and shed from 2024 to 2025, showing development in playing through contact rather than just trying to avoid it entirely.

Areas to Improve

• Awareness in zone coverage remains rudimentary as he drifts from his assigned area too frequently, covers grass instead of threats, and gets manipulated by route combinations he should be able to diagnose from his alignment.
• Play strength against ascending offensive linemen needs significant development—he gets overwhelmed and displaced when blockers establish their hands into his frame, lacking the functional power to disengage consistently or the counters to fight free.
• Instincts processing run action lag behind his athleticism as he's consistently a tick slow keying and diagnosing, causing him to arrive late at the fit point even when his speed suggests he should be there earlier.
• Lean lower body construction limits his ability to anchor against power, getting washed out of run fits by pulling guards on gap schemes and struggling to hold his ground when combo blocks reach him at the second level.
• Eyes get stuck in the backfield when playing hook zones, failing to read quarterback vision to anticipate throws or pattern-match route concepts developing in front of him, leaving passing lanes open longer than they should be.