Jonathon Goff, Vanderbilt, 2008 NFL Draft

Linebacker Ht: 6’2” Wt: 245 lbs. Strengths: Leadership, Instincts, Natural Strength Weaknesses: Explosiveness, Athleticism Comparison: Kirk Morrison Oakland Scouting Report by: Daryl Breault

            Throw back middle linebackers are getting harder and harder to come by nowadays.  Players like Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis have redefined the position and the basis for which every MLB prospect is now judged by.  They need to be the defenses version of QB, a field general that gets everyone lined up right.  They need to be tough enough to fill gaps and strong enough to fight off 320-lbs behemoths.  And they need to be fluid enough to stick to tight ends and backs in coverage.  Needless to say, it takes a special prospect to be an elite middle linebacker.

            Top prospects such as Dan Connor, Curtis Lofton and Phillip Wheeler are potential Mikes’ but only one player jumps out as a true MLB.  Jonathon Goff is not a household name but he was the leader of a scrappy Vanderbilt team that should see 4 players get drafted come April.  Physically, Goff is a marvel.  Chiseled and well built, he checks in at 6’2 245-lbs and ran a 4.63/40 in Indy to answer questions about his speed.  He posted faster times than the supposed ‘speed’ guys at the position like Lofton, Wheeler and Vince Hall.  All 4 Vandy prospects (OT Chris Williams, WR Earl Bennett and DE/OLB Curtis Gatewood are the others) are moving up boards across the league as the draft nears. 

            Goff does his best work in the box and moving forward.  Rather than allowing blockers to get to him, the sturdy senior takes the fight to the lineman and usually wins the battle (28 lifts on the 225-lbs bench press in Indy).  He is the best LB available at shedding blocks and will not need to be protected to be effective.  Works well in tight corners as he has the strength to make tackles without needing to rev up.  As far as intangibles go, Goff is the hardworking type you hate to doubt.  A two-time team captain and All-SEC Second Team in 2007, he earned Nagurski and Bednarik award consideration this season.  A rebuilding team looking for someone that will be reliable on and off the field should give Goff serious consideration in the 2^nd round as his great showing at the combine has pushed him into the late-2^nd round discussion in a mediocre LB class.  

After starting 40 straight games for the Commodores at middle linebacker Goff finished his career with 304 total tackles.  Had arguably the best game of his career against Michigan in Ann Arbor during the 2006, totaling 14 tackles, a career high 12 solo, and blocked a field goal in front of 109,000 rabid fans.  Also in 2006, Goff put an overmatched Vandy defense on his back and nearly carried them to an upset of eventual champion Florida, sharing the team’s Defensive Player of the Week Award.  Continued his consistent play throughout 2007, averaging more than 9 tackles a game and finishing with 113 total tackles.  Goff has been one of the most consistent and productive SEC players over the last two seasons. 

            He is not the most athletic, coming nowhere near the elite level of Urlacher or Lewis and will be at a disadvantage against guys like Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez.  He may be a liability in coverage but has the dedication to overcome his limitations.  Not real explosive and needs to refine his pass rush technique but now were nitpicking.  Gets overlooked because of school and the questions about his speed and athleticism.  A team could find a real leader for their defense in Goff, or find someone who may have been born 20 years too late.

            Violent between the lines, Goff is a throwback that will make your granddaddy proud.  Teams like Miami, Carolina, Atlanta, St. Louis or Cincinnati badly need a player like Goff.  I expect him to have a similar impact to that of Kirk Morrison in Oakland.  Morrison immediately took over the leadership responsibilities in Oakland and has proven to be an effective MLB on what looked to be an improving defense.  At only 22, Goff plays, acts and sounds like a much older person.  Teams will take a flier on athletes like Lofton and Tennessee’s Jerod Mayo but the team that ends up with Goff will get the player most likely to succeed quickly.  A solid 3^rd round selection, he most likely will find himself jumping up a round.