Recruit Snapshot: Chauncey Gooden
Despite a loss in their opener to one of the best teams in the country in IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL), Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, TN) still has an embarrassment of riches in terms of talent. What is frightening is that their 2025 talent pool may be deeper than the group from the 2024 class. One of the highest rated prospects for the Mustangs is 2025 interior lineman Chauncey Gooden.
A Human Wrecking Ball
Some offense lineman maul opponents, are effective in the run game, are road graders etc. If we are going to compare Gooden to heavy machinery, then this young man is a wrecking ball. Gooden doesn’t just Blick guys or drive them off the ball, when he hits defenders, they often go flying. Give Gooden enough momentum, and he will knock a hole in most anything you put in front of him. When Gooden is at his best, there is a trail of defenders lying on their backs in his wake, like bricks scattered in the collision.
A Rare Athlete
Gooden is an exceptional athlete for his size. As a sophomore, then Head Coach Trent Dilfer, was very creative utilizing g Gooden. Dilfer often moved Gooden all over the field, at Guard, tackle, tight end, H-back, and even fullback. That versatility allowed the Mustangs to give Gooden the best chances to knock a hole in thr defense right where his offense needed him too. Gooden showed he could play in a two point stance, get out to the edge to make key blocks, and send guys sailing on the outside like he did on the interior of the line. This kind of athleticism is rare in offensive linemen, particularly those as large as Gooden who is 6’4” and 325 pou ds as a Junior.
Learning From the New Boss
Coach Trent Dilfer may have been creative using Gooden, but now he is learning under one of the best to ever snap a football. New Head Coach Kevin Mawae is a 16 year NFL Veteran, an NFL Hall of Famer, and firmly in the discussion as the best center to ever play the game. In his first game under Mawae, Gooden was used in a far more traditional role and alignment. That shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Mawae knows everything an interior offensive lineman needs to do to be successful. He recognizes the talent he has in Gooden, and Mawae undoubtedly wants to make Gooden the leader of the group he wants setting the tone for his team. Giving someone with the knowledge of the interior offensive line that Mawae has someone as talented as Gooden doesn’t seem fair. Just how much Mawae can develop Gooden is one of the most interesting things to watch about the Mustangs this season.
Work In Progress
Gooden is a monster in the run game, and he proved just how effective he was squaring off to open this season against IMG and their talented defensive line. Still, there are plenty of things Coach Mawae can observe in Gooden to help his development.
- Devastating run blocker.
- When Gooden makes contact, bodies go flying.
- Excellent job of finishing blocks, taking assignments entirely out of the play.
- Shows good leverage and drives opponents into the second level consistently.
- Pass protection is solid, however is not on the level of run blocking yet.
- Exceptional athlete, allowing him to pull, lead on outside runs and screens, and get to the second and third levels.
- Weight and Conditioning are a concern. Gooden is a big player, and trying to carry so much weight can hinder his athleticism and stamina.
- Receiving elite level coaching for his position.
Gooden on film and in person consistently makes crushing blocks and takes guys out of the play. His pass protection and conditioning need to improve and reach that same level, but there may be no other coach in Americs that is better suited to helping his development. Gooden is one of the top interior linemen in the nation now, and he has two years to improve under an NFL Hall of Famer. The evolution of Gooden’s game should be intriguing.
