04/28/23: Drafted by Seattle (2nd round, 37th overall)
• During his rookie year in 2023, posted 30 tackles (15 solo), five quarterback hits and added eight special teams tackles (5th on team).
COLLEGE: Was a two-year starter his final two seasons for the Tigers and started 31 of 47 games played in his career. Totaled 147 tackles (98 solo), 29.5 tackles for loss, 19.0 sacks and five forced fumbles. In his final season, was named first-team All-SEC by the coaches. Won the national Freddie Solomon Community Spirit Award. Posted a career-high 9.0 sacks in 2021 when he was named second-team All-SEC, and had 6.5 in 2022.
PERSONAL: Attended Gulfport High. Recorded 83 tackles as a senior for the Admirals. Played in the Under Armour All-American Game, named to the Sun-Herald All-South Mississippi first-team and rated among the top 10 prospects in the state of Mississippi. Also played basketball and was a state finalist in the 200 meters in track. Enjoys fishing and hunting. Born four months premature, and was not breathing. "He was actually born dead," said his mother, Stacy Gooden. Was so small, he could fit in her hand. On life support for a week, had bleeding in his brain. Had severe asthma, and was hospitalized for weeks at a time. Still has smaller lungs than expected for someone his age but no longer relies on a rescue inhaler. Majored in business.
