University of Central Florida grad transfer defensive tackle Cam Goode committed to Michigan on Friday evening. Goode was reportedly also considering Syracuse and Vanderbilt.
Goode was listed on UCF's roster at 6'2" and 315 lbs. He was a part-time starter for the Golden Knights in 2021, playing in all thirteen games and making 24 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 interception, 3 pass breakups, and 4 forced fumbles.
Hit the jump for more.
Goode was a part of the 2018 high school recruiting class, when he chose Virginia Tech. He was a 3-star, the #40 defensive tackle, and #554 overall in that class out of Washington (DC) St. John's. The likes of Arizona, Indiana, and Pitt also offered him out of high school, but he was never really on Michigan's radar at the time. After spending one redshirt season in Blacksburg, he wound up at UCF.
I'm a little torn on Goode. On the one hand, I really like his quickness and explosiveness. I tend to prefer quickness and athleticism over pure power and strength, which is why I have not totally been on board with a lot of Michigan fans' desires for 340 lb. defensive tackles in recent years. Those guys are fine, but they have to be able to move. I think it's good to have at least one of those guys on your roster for certain situations, but they're limited.
On the other hand, I'm not sure how well Goode will fare in the Big Ten. Competition will be ramped up, and Goode's tackles for loss in 2021 came against Navy, UConn, Memphis, and then Florida in a bowl game they didn't care about. (Florida lost 29-17 to UCF, and Michigan has seen firsthand a Florida team be largely unmotivated in a bowl game following the 2015 season.)
Anyway, I do think Goode will play more in 2022 than Jordan Whittley played in 2021. Goode can be active and versatile on the defensive line, and I think Michigan can move him around a little bit to create some matchup issues. He's quick enough and powerful enough to get underneath some guards and centers, and I think he pairs up nicely with someone like Mazi Smith at the nose tackle position.
As a fifth year player with a COVID year to spare, Goode could potentially be in Ann Arbor for both the 2022 and 2023 seasons if both parties think that suits them well. That should alleviate Michigan from having to force some young guys into playing action that they might not be ready for just yet.
From his film he is quick. The interception was crazy. In the backfield. I just think this has to be good.
ReplyDeleteThe interception is in the video.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/CamBamBiggalo/status/1517656319012057092
Not a starter (this year), but UM has definitely moved on from "hope" in tweener guys
ReplyDeleteThis seems like big deal to me. More impactful than any recruit, aside from maybe Will Johnson, in terms of immediate impact in 2022.
ReplyDeleteI've been keeping a watchful eye on the Donovan Jeter situation and it sounds like that ship has sailed. Jeter was a big part of the 2021 team. I don't think they win the Big 10 if it was, say, Welschof getting all those snaps.
While they're different players, that's who I see Goode replacing.
Smith/Hinton/Jeter/Jenkins turns into Smith/Jenkins/Goode/Benny
Like Thunder, I'm skeptical jumbo NTs are a panacea but I like Goode as a complement to a smaller penetrating DT like Jenkins. And if Jenkins doesn't make a leap or anyone gets hurt Goode will be a critical player.
Unlike Thunder I don't think TFLs are a good indicator anymore than say blocks for point guard, or home runs for a shortstop. Not irrelevant entirely but not a great indicator either. Take Bryan Mone as an example, only 5.5 TFL in 5 years at Michigan but he's an NFL starter.
I don't know that Jeter was that much of a difference-maker. He didn't start a single game in 2021; Welschof started at least one game. I'm not sure what game(s) would have been changed without Jeter.
DeleteShort answer: PSU. My longer response doesn't show up.
DeletePSU
ReplyDeleteRemember in January when people were fretting that we were missing out on the Portal because of the coaching turnover/uncertainty. Turns out the Portal is a river that doesn't run dry after a few weeks around the new year.
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