John Harbaugh is putting the finishing touches on his New York Giants staff, and his latest move was hiring Frank Bush as the team’s next linebackers coach on Monday. And with it, I have one immediate request.
Big Blue has struggled mightily when it comes to stopping the run in recent years, and the lack of an elite presence in the middle of the defense is a big reason why. The G-Men haven't had a star, old-school linebacker since Antonio Pierce was running sideline-to-sideline in 2009. That's a long time to be putting fans through the wringer.
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So, circling back to my request, I'd like to fix this infuriating trend by suggesting the Giants draft Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday with the 105th pick in the 2026 Draft. But Matt, why so specific? I'm so glad you asked. Bush is just one month removed from helping Tennessee Titans LB Cedric Gray finish fourth in the league in tackles (164) in 2025.
It just so happens he was the 106th pick in the 2024 Draft. I think you can see where this is headed.
Jake Golday feels like Frank Bush’s next Cedric Gray for Big Blue (fingers crossed, at least)
Golday is a modern linebacker with old-school toughness... so, really just the best of both worlds. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder has ideal size for the position and somehow doesn’t sacrifice any athleticism in the process. Rumor has it he’s been clocked north of 22 miles per hour.
Before he became a tackling machine at Cincinnati, the Tennessee native began his college football career at Central Arkansas (FCS school), where he played on the edge as a pass-rusher. After three seasons (one redshirted), he left for Cincy with 125 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks in 26 games.
It was there that he became the type of centerpiece Bush and Harbaugh love in the middle. Bearcats defensive coordinator Tyson Veidt turned Golday into more than just a pass-rusher. He leaned into his speed, versatility, and motor and built a true three-down linebacker, someone who can run sideline-to-sideline, cover tight ends and backs, and still get after the quarterback.
Not to be overlooked, he appeared 48th on Bruce Feldman's list of athletic freaks for his 24 bench press reps of 225 pounds, 4.24 shuttle time, and 10-foot-7 broad jump.
Selecting Golday in the fourth round wouldn't stop New York's 16-year streak of not selecting a linebacker in either of the first two days of the draft. But with Bush's history with Gray and Harbaugh's history with Ray Lewis, C.J. Mosley, Roquan Smith, and Patrick Queen, maybe letting the universe do its thing with the whole 105th and 106th picks is the way to go.
The only way we're going to find out is if they hear me out.