Last Updated on November 6, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Jake Golday is an American professional football player who plays as a linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 23, 2003, Golday grew up in Arlington, Tennessee, and played college football for Central Arkansas and Cincinnati before entering the NFL.
The Minnesota Vikings selected Golday in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 51st overall pick, marking an important milestone for the young linebacker and his family.
Beyond football, Golday comes from a family with strong connections to college basketball. His parents, Clay Golday and Jennifer Green, both played basketball at Union University, while his older brother, Garrett Golday, competed at Tennessee Tech and Christian Brothers University.
Golday is also married to his high school sweetheart, Kameron Wheeler, a registered nurse. The couple became engaged in March 2025 and married in June 2026.
Although Golday has publicly discussed his wife, parents and brother, information about whether he has children remains limited.
Jake Golday’s Wife – Kameron Wheeler
Jake Golday is married to Kameron Wheeler, his longtime girlfriend and high school sweetheart.
The couple’s relationship began during their high school years in Arlington, Tennessee, before Golday developed into a professional football player.
According to the Minnesota Vikings’ official player biography, Golday and Kameron married in June 2026, approximately two months after he was selected in the NFL Draft.
Their relationship continued through his college football career, including his time at Central Arkansas and the University of Cincinnati.
Kameron has been an important part of Golday’s personal support system, accompanying him through several significant stages of his athletic development.
Who Is Kameron Wheeler?
Kameron Wheeler is an American registered nurse who became publicly known through her relationship with Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jake Golday.
According to a 2025 report published by the Cincinnati Enquirer, Kameron previously participated on the University of Central Arkansas dance team.
She later moved to Cincinnati with Golday following his transfer from Central Arkansas to the University of Cincinnati.
While living in Ohio, Kameron worked as a nurse at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
Her professional career in healthcare developed alongside Golday’s progress as a college football player.
Although the couple has shared important relationship milestones publicly, additional details about Kameron’s parents, siblings and childhood have not been extensively documented in reliable sports reporting.
When Did Jake Golday and Kameron Wheeler Get Engaged?
Jake Golday proposed to Kameron Wheeler in March 2025 during a spring break trip to Panama City, Florida.
The engagement took place while Golday was preparing for his second season with the Cincinnati Bearcats.
According to an official Minnesota Vikings article published on April 24, 2026, Kameron announced the engagement on Instagram and expressed her excitement about marrying her longtime boyfriend.
The couple had already spent several years together, having begun their relationship during high school.
The engagement represented another important milestone as Golday continued pursuing his ambition of becoming a professional football player.
When Did Jake Golday Get Married?
Jake Golday married Kameron Wheeler in June 2026.
His official Minnesota Vikings biography confirms the marriage and identifies Kameron as his high school sweetheart.
In an interview published by the Cincinnati Enquirer during the spring of 2025, Golday had revealed that the couple planned to hold their wedding in late June 2026.
The ceremony took place after the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the second round of the NFL Draft.
Golday therefore experienced two major personal milestones within a relatively short period: beginning his NFL career and marrying his longtime partner.
Although their marriage is confirmed, the precise wedding date, venue and guest list have not been extensively documented by reliable public sources.
Jake Golday’s Children
Jake Golday has no publicly confirmed children.
His official Minnesota Vikings biography identifies his wife, Kameron, but does not mention any sons or daughters.
Similarly, established interviews about his football career and personal life have not confirmed that Golday has become a father.
While he and Kameron are married, there is insufficient reliable information to establish whether they have children.
For that reason, details about potential children should not be assumed without a public announcement or another credible source.
Jake Golday’s Parents
Jake Golday’s parents are Clay Golday and Jennifer Green.
Both parents played college basketball at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, making competitive sports an important part of the family’s background.
Golday grew up in Arlington, Tennessee, where his parents encouraged him to participate in athletics from an early age.
Although basketball was particularly important in the Golday family, Jake eventually chose to pursue football.
Jake Golday’s Father – Clay Golday
Clay Golday is Jake Golday’s father and a former college basketball player.
According to the Minnesota Vikings’ official biography, Clay played basketball at Union University in Tennessee.
His athletic background helped establish a strong sporting tradition within the family.
Clay’s influence extended to both of his sons, Jake and Garrett, who developed into competitive athletes.
Garrett followed the family’s basketball tradition and eventually played college basketball at Tennessee Tech and Christian Brothers University.
Jake, meanwhile, initially participated in basketball before deciding that football was the sport he wanted to pursue professionally.
Clay’s experience in college basketball also created connections that benefited his older son.
According to Tennessee Tech basketball records, Garrett discussed how his father’s previous relationship with coach Steve Payne helped make the college recruitment process more familiar.
Although Clay’s current occupation and other personal details have not been extensively documented in major football publications, his collegiate athletic background is confirmed by official university and NFL records.
Jake Golday’s Mother – Jennifer Green
Jake Golday’s mother is Jennifer Green, who is identified by that name in his official Minnesota Vikings biography. His older brother Garrett’s college basketball profile also identifies their mother as Jennifer Golday.
Like her husband, Jennifer played college basketball at Union University.
Her experience as an athlete became particularly important when Jake began facing challenges during his early football development.
According to a Minnesota Vikings article published on April 24, 2026, Jennifer encouraged her son to continue playing football after a disappointing experience during eighth grade.
At the time, Jake’s football coach had removed him from the starting lineup because he considered him too small to succeed at the position.
The experience discouraged Golday, who began considering whether he should give up football and concentrate on basketball instead.
However, Jennifer encouraged him to remain committed to football and continue working toward his goals.
Her advice became an important turning point in his athletic development.
Golday continued training, improved his physical abilities and eventually became one of the leading defensive prospects in his area.
Years later, he developed into an All-Big 12 linebacker at Cincinnati before being selected in the NFL Draft.
His mother’s encouragement during childhood therefore played a meaningful role in helping him overcome an early obstacle.
Jake Golday’s Siblings
Jake Golday has an older brother named Garrett Golday.
Both the Minnesota Vikings and Christian Brothers University confirm Garrett’s identity and his background in college basketball.
According to Garrett’s official Christian Brothers University biography, he has one brother named Jake.
Garrett Golday – Jake Golday’s Older Brother
Garrett Golday is Jake Golday’s older brother and a former college basketball player.
Like Jake, Garrett grew up in Arlington, Tennessee, where he attended Arlington High School.
Garrett developed into a talented basketball player during his teenage years, eventually receiving opportunities to compete at the collegiate level.
His performances attracted interest from Tennessee Tech University, where he began his college basketball career in 2018.
Garrett later transferred to Christian Brothers University, continuing his athletic and academic development.
Garrett Golday’s College Basketball Career
Garrett played college basketball for Tennessee Tech from 2018 to 2020 before joining Christian Brothers University for the 2020-21 season.
At Tennessee Tech, he competed as a forward and developed his skills as a rebounder and interior defender.
His official college basketball biographies identify him as a physically imposing player standing approximately six feet eight inches tall.
Before college, Garrett was a successful basketball player at Arlington High School.
He received multiple All-District selections and averaged approximately five blocked shots per game during his senior season.
He also performed well academically, graduating among the top five percent of his high school class.
According to his Christian Brothers University profile, Garrett studied computer engineering.
His achievements demonstrate the family’s strong tradition of combining athletics with education.
Jake Golday and Garrett Golday’s Relationship
Jake and Garrett Golday grew up in a household where basketball was an important part of family life.
Both their parents had competed at the college level, and Garrett followed the same path.
Jake initially participated in basketball as well, making him part of a family with considerable experience in the sport.
However, he eventually developed a stronger passion for football.
In an official Vikings article, Golday was described as the only member of his immediate family who had chosen football over basketball.
Despite following different sporting paths, both brothers achieved success at the college level.
Garrett established himself as a college basketball player, while Jake developed into an NFL prospect.
When the Minnesota Vikings selected Jake in April 2026, he publicly thanked his brother alongside his parents and fiancée for their support.
Jake Golday’s Family Background and Childhood
Jake Golday grew up in Arlington, Tennessee, near Memphis.
His family was deeply involved in athletics, particularly basketball, because both parents had played at Union University.
Golday began playing football when he was approximately seven years old.
He also participated in basketball and baseball during childhood, demonstrating an interest in multiple sports.
By age 14, he had helped his M33M Elite basketball team advance to the Jr. NBA World Championships in South Carolina.
Although he enjoyed basketball, football gradually became his primary athletic interest.
His early football development was not always easy.
During eighth grade, he faced criticism from a coach who believed his small physical stature would prevent him from becoming a successful player.
However, with encouragement from his mother, he continued participating.
Over time, Golday grew taller, became stronger and developed the athletic abilities that eventually attracted college football programs.
Jake Golday’s High School Football Career
Jake Golday attended Arlington High School in Arlington, Tennessee.
During high school, he played outside linebacker, defensive end and tight end, demonstrating versatility on both sides of the football.
Golday also participated in basketball and baseball.
During his junior football season, he recorded 72 tackles, six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one interception.
He continued improving during his senior season, recording 70 tackles, including six tackles for loss.
As a tight end, he caught 27 passes for 571 yards and five touchdowns.
His performances earned him First-Team All-Region honors at both outside linebacker and tight end.
He also served as a team captain during his senior season.
Despite these achievements, major college football programs initially showed limited interest in recruiting him.
According to the Vikings, Golday received only one Football Bowl Subdivision scholarship offer, from the Air Force Academy.
He eventually accepted an opportunity at the University of Central Arkansas, beginning the college football journey that would lead him to the NFL.
How Jake Golday’s Family Supported His Football Career
Family encouragement has been an important part of Jake Golday’s development as a football player.
His parents introduced him to competitive sports, while his mother encouraged him to continue pursuing football during a difficult period of his childhood.
After high school, Golday joined the University of Central Arkansas in 2021.
He initially played defensive end before transitioning to linebacker during the 2023 season.
The position change helped him become a more versatile defensive player.
During the 2023 season, he recorded 84 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
His performances attracted interest from larger college programs, leading him to transfer to the University of Cincinnati in 2024.
His girlfriend, Kameron, accompanied him to Ohio, where she continued her nursing career while he developed as a football player.
At Cincinnati, Golday became an important part of the Bearcats’ defense.
He recorded 58 tackles during the 2024 season and received All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition.
His final college season in 2025 was particularly successful.
Golday led Cincinnati with 105 tackles and added six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
His performances earned him First-Team All-Big 12 honors and established him as one of the leading linebacker prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Jake Golday’s Family Celebrates His NFL Draft Selection
On April 24, 2026, the Minnesota Vikings selected Jake Golday with the 51st overall pick in the second round of the NFL Draft.
The selection represented the fulfillment of a long-held dream for a player who had received limited recruiting attention during high school.
During his introductory interview with Minnesota reporters, Golday expressed gratitude to his parents, brother, fiancée and other people who had supported him throughout his football career.
He emphasized that his family had accompanied him through the challenges of college football and helped him maintain confidence in his abilities.
The moment was particularly meaningful because Golday had previously faced doubts about whether he possessed the physical ability to compete at a high level.
By earning a second-round selection, he demonstrated how perseverance and consistent improvement had helped him overcome those obstacles.
His family continued celebrating major milestones with him when he married Kameron in June 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jake Golday’s Family
Who is Jake Golday’s wife?
Jake Golday’s wife is Kameron Wheeler, his high school sweetheart. The couple married in June 2026 after becoming engaged in March 2025.
Is Jake Golday married?
Yes. Jake Golday married Kameron Wheeler in June 2026, according to his official Minnesota Vikings player biography.
What does Jake Golday’s wife do?
Kameron Wheeler is a registered nurse. She previously worked at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital after moving to Ohio with Golday during his college football career.
When did Jake Golday get engaged?
Jake Golday proposed to Kameron Wheeler during a spring break trip to Panama City, Florida, in March 2025.
Does Jake Golday have children?
Jake Golday has no publicly confirmed children. His official NFL biography does not identify any sons or daughters.
Who is Jake Golday’s father?
His father is Clay Golday, a former college basketball player who competed at Union University in Tennessee.
Who is Jake Golday’s mother?
His mother is Jennifer Green, also identified in college basketball records as Jennifer Golday. She played basketball at Union University and encouraged Jake to continue football when he considered quitting during eighth grade.
Does Jake Golday have siblings?
Yes. Jake Golday has an older brother named Garrett Golday, who played college basketball at Tennessee Tech and Christian Brothers University.
Who is Garrett Golday?
Garrett Golday is Jake Golday’s older brother. He attended Arlington High School and played college basketball at Tennessee Tech and Christian Brothers University.
Did Jake Golday’s parents play sports?
Yes. Both of his parents, Clay Golday and Jennifer Green, played college basketball at Union University.
Where is Jake Golday’s family from?
Jake Golday grew up in Arlington, Tennessee, near Memphis. He attended Arlington High School before beginning his college football career.
How did Jake Golday meet his wife?
Jake Golday and Kameron Wheeler began their relationship during high school in Arlington, Tennessee. They continued dating throughout his college football career before marrying in 2026.
How did Jake Golday’s mother influence his career?
Jennifer encouraged Jake to continue pursuing football after a coach removed him from the starting lineup during eighth grade because of concerns about his size. Her encouragement helped him remain committed to the sport.
Tanos Potter is a sports journalist and NFL analyst dedicated to bringing fans closer to the gridiron through deep tactical analysis and roster coverage. He breaks down offensive and defensive schemes, quarterback performance, trade moves, and top Draft prospects. Tracking action across both the AFC and NFC, Tanos translates complex playbooks and statistics into engaging, actionable insights for football enthusiasts.
