Tennessee: Interview with Haywood 4-Star DE Emmit Gooden

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Some high school football players are men among boys dominating the competition while others are beasts among the men and the boys – Emmit Gooden is one of the beasts.

The 6’4”, 285 pound, defensive end is a raw talent racking up stats and terrorizing opposing Tennessee ball carriers and quarterbacks as he closes out his senior campaign. Through eight games for Haywood High School, Gooden has a team-high 70 tackles with 22 tackles for a loss, another team-high. Gooden also has seven sacks and two forced fumbles proving to be a disruptive force for the Brownsville squad.

The Tomcats are 4-4 on the season with two games left to play in their regular season, Chester County and Ripley, giving college recruiters very little time left to see him in live action. One could easily guess that if a college has not offered him yet, they more than likely will not considering Gooden has over 30 scholarship offers. Teams blowing up his Twitter account include Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, LSU, Memphis, Ole Miss, N.C. State, Arizona State, Cincinnati, Penn State, Ohio State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Mississippi State.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Gooden during his visit to Mississippi State on Sunday catching up on his visit, his season, and received an overall recruiting update.

Interview

Emmit, you’re were of the top recruits in the country heading into your senior season. What were some of the things you worked on in the offseason to improve upon for this year?

“I worked a lot on stopping the run, getting off my block easier and quicker, and being more disciplined in the two gap. Those were the biggest things I worked on and trying to stay low.”

You had a great junior season coming up with 55 tackles and 22 tackles for a loss, in your opinion, how did your junior season go for you?

“It went well. I made a lot of big plays. This year is my best so far. Over my last four games I’ve been in double-digits in tackles. I had 13 tackles and three sacks Friday night (at Jackson North Side). I’m making big time plays this year. This year is my best year so far.”

What individual honors did you earn at the end of your junior season?

“I was All-State first-team, first-team West Tennessee, and Defensive Player of the Year in our district.”

Entering the season what were some of your goals?

“My goal was to be a leader on and off the field for my team. I wanted to play in an All-Star game and now I’m on the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl watch list and I’ve been invited to the Offense vs. Defense All-American Bowl game in Daytona Beach. The first game is hosted at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium and the Offense vs. Defense game is in Daytona Beach.”

The Tomcats have two games left, how does the team look over the last two games and potentially going into the playoffs?

“We look good on defense. I’m very proud of all my teammates, especially the front line. Anytime you don’t get scored on, that’s a good thing. Our line is tough mentally. We are holding teams to under 50 yards rushing.”

What are your strengths on the field?

“My strengths are playing inside and out. I can play tackle or end and I can play nose too. I making a lot of big plays this year wherever I line up. In college I can play either defensive tackle or defensive end. One of my strengths is being an athlete on the field.”

What has been your best game so far this season?

“The Oakland (Murfreesboro) game (Oct. 9). I think I had 15 tackles and a sack in that game.”

Are you excited to play Chester County or Ripley?

“I’m excited for Chester County this week. That will be our Senior Night. The last game played in our stadium. It’ll be emotional and fun.”

Let’s transition into recruiting a little bit. Considering you have so many schools after you, have you come up with a Top 10 or a Top 5 list yet?

“No, sir, but I will be coming out with one soon.”

Which schools are pushing the hardest for a verbal commitment from you right now?

“Mississippi State, LSU, Arizona State, N.C. State, Kentucky, and Alabama.”

Which schools have you visited so far?

“I’ve been to Mississippi State, where I’m at right now, LSU their first game of the season against McNesse State, and Kentucky vs. Mizzou.”

How was your trip to LSU?

“It was great. Coach (Les) Miles (head coach), Coach (Kevin) Steele (defensive coordinator), and Coach (Ed) Orgeron (defensive line) are three great minds, I can see why they are undefeated.”

What did you like about your trip to Baton Rouge?

“It was my first game there. The rain delays were not fun. I’ve been there a few times. The players and staff all know me.”

How is your current visit to Mississippi State gone so far?

“It has been just like home. All of the coaches are great. The fans are starting to notice me more and the players in the locker room at Mississippi State have all been great.”

You’ve been to Mississippi State a few times, with this trip what further insight were you wanting to gain about the Bulldogs program?

“I was mainly coming back to get my family over here to get them comfortable with the coaches and the academics at Mississippi State.”

Has your family liked their visit to Mississippi State so far?

“Yes sir, my brother (Jarvis Varnado) played ball here (3-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year 2008-10). I tried to get them over here to feel comfortable. I could spend the next 3-4 years of my life here.”

Did you attend any one-day college camps over the summer?

“Yes, sir. I went to Alabama, LSU, and Mississippi State.”

Which of the three camps did you performance best?

“At the LSU camp. That’s when you know if you’re a big time player if they offered you at the camp. If they offer you after they’ve seen you in person. I performed at the evening camp on Day 2. The competition was hard. I played tackle and end at the camp. Coach Miles has been on me hard ever since then. He called me before I left Baton Rouge, he wanted to meet me ASAP. He told me “you’re a dynamic athlete like Bennie Logan (first-team All-American in 2012)” who is with the Eagles now.”

When you start breaking down the different schools be-it a like or dislike or pro-con list, what are the most important things to you when looking at a college?

“First I want to see the academics. I like to have a relationship with my professors, not all of the schools will have big classrooms. The professors can help develop me in the classroom and prepare me for life after football. I want to get to know my academic advisors too.”

What do you want to major in while in college?

“Sports marketing, sports management, or kinesiology. I have a slight interest in the nursing field. Every time I bring that up to a host they think I’m trying to joke with them.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I just like being physical. I can be mad and take it out on people on the field.”

Emmit, thanks for your time today and good luck over the next two games.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: scout.com; Emmit Gooden.

Photo credit: Gooden family; Emmit Gooden pre-snap.