B.J. Goodson played outside linebacker as a junior at Clemson because his coaches wanted him on the field and because the team had Stephone Anthony in the middle.
But when Anthony left for the NFL as a first-round pick of the Saints in last year’s draft, that opened the position up for Goodson.
“Once Stephone left I went back home to the mike position,” Goodson said, “and it worked out from there.”
So much so that he led the team with 108 tackles in 2015 and played well enough for the Giants to draft him in the fourth round with the 109th overall selection on Saturday. Just like the move to the middle linebacker spot felt like coming home, Goodson said moving to the Giants will be just as cozy a fit.
“I definitely wanted to be there,” he said shortly after the pick was made. “It’s definitely a legendary place, a place where football is important.”
Goodson visited the Giants in the pre-draft process and said he hit it off right away with special teams coordinator Tom Quinn and linebackers coach Bill McGovern.
“They saw me helping out on special teams,” he said. “I really, really enjoyed the relationship with the linebackers coach. I fell in love with everything on my visit.”
Now he has to make the Giants fall in love with him as a player. Goodson will likely compete for the middle linebacker spot that currently has veterans Jasper Brinkley and Keenan Robinson penciled in. He can also play on the outside, as he showed in college, so that versatility will help too.
As a fourth-round pick, Goodson likely won’t walk into a starting job. Eventually, though, he could become a starter and the flight controller for the defense. Think about the evolution of Jonathan Goff before he was hurt. Goodson could find himself on the same trajectory.
“I’m ready to get with the veterans and get under their wings and learn as much as I can,” he said.
And, if he’s lucky, find a new home with the Giants.
..... - Newsday