Should challenge for all-league honors in his second year as a starter at the weakside linebacker spot ... Is arguably the best pure athlete on the team, pound-for-pound, and he uses that speed, agility and strength to his advantage on the field to make plays and get to spots where many can't ... Wears #25 in honor of former fallen Tiger Aaron O'Neal, and will wear the honored jersey until his graduation, then he'll pass it along to another linebacker teammate.
2010 SEASON
Emerged as one of the top playmakers for the Tiger defense, as he led the team with 85 tackles in his first year as a starter, playing on a unit which was one of the most improved defenses in the nation during 2010 ... Was very consistent throughout the season, as he had no less than 5 tackles in every game against FBS competition, and he accounted for 5 turnovers in all, including 2 recovered fumbles, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble while notching 7.5 tackles for loss and 3 QB sacks in all ... Tied for second on the team with eight tackles in the season opener against Illinois ... Started at linebacker against UI, his first career start ... Made five tackles in the win over San Diego State ... Had seven stops against Miami (Ohio) ... Also had a fumble recovery against the RedHawks ... Made eight tackles against Colorado ... Included in the eight tackles was two TFLs and one sack ... Added a pass break-up against CU ... Tied for the team lead with an eight-tackle performance against Texas A&M ... Made his first career interception against Oklahoma ... The INT came in the fourth quarter, helping MU put away the Sooners ... Added five tackles against OU ... Tied for second on the team with seven tackles against Nebraska ... Had three TFLs against the Huskers, including two sacks ... Made seven tackles, including one for a loss against Texas Tech ... Picked off a pass and returned it 10 yards, for his second INT of 2010 ... Also had three pass break-ups against the Red Raiders ... Made nine tackles and had 1.5 TFLs against Kansas State.
2009 SEASON
Saw his first action as a Tiger after moving down to the linebackers over the summer, after spending the spring at his traditional safety position ... Saw action in all 13 games and really started to hit his stride toward the latter part of the season, as he had three or more tackles in six of MU's last seven ballgames ... Finished with 30 tackles on the year, including three tackles for loss ... Also did a great job in the classroom, as he earned First-Team Academic All-Big 12 honors for his efforts ... Made three tackles against Furman, including one TFL ... Had a then-career-best four tackles against Nevada and recorded two stops in the Oklahoma State game ... Tied his career high with four tackles against Texas ... Made three tackles (all solos) against Colorado on Oct. 31 ... Also recovered a fumble in the win over CU ... Had one pass-break-up against Baylor on Nov. 7 ... Made five tackles against Kansas State to set a new career best ... Also forced a key fumble on the one-yard line that went out of the endzone resulting in a touchback for Missouri ... Had three tackles in both the Iowa State and Kansas games ... Had three tackles in the spring game from the safety position.
2008 SEASON
Worked hard as part of the Tiger defensive scout team ... Twice was named the defense's Back-Up Player of the Week - for his efforts in practice prior to Mizzou's games against Oklahoma State and Kansas.
HIGH SCHOOL
Rated as the nation's No. 32 safety prospect by Rivals, as well as the No. 56 overall player (any position) in the state of Texas ... Was also a standout running back for Pflugerville, as he rushed for 1,128 yards and nine TDs ... Played a major role on his team which went 12-4 in 2007 and finished as 5A state runners up ... Won district all-purpose player of the year honors in 2007, and was also a First-Team All-District safety and Second-Team All-District running back ... Had two INTs and a fumble recovery on defense ... Was a Second-Team All-District defensive back as a junior in 2006 ... Also rushed for 800 yards and 10 TDs on offense ... Notched 50 tackles and added two INTs and a forced fumble on defense as a sophomore for Pflugerville ... High school coach - George Herrman.
PERSONAL
Parents Maury & Tonia Gooden ... Has an interest in studying entrepreneurship in MU's College of Business ... Spent time volunteering in his local PALS program, as well as the Ready, Set, Teach program ... Chose Mizzou over Oklahoma, Purdue, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Stanford, Texas Tech and Iowa State, among others.
