Emmit Gooden has learned a lot about Memphis

Normally, a football community is not abuzz with a visit from an average football prospect. But when a recruit is a four-star 6-foot-4 inch, 290 pounds, and the top ranked defensive lineman in the state, the fans' antennas go up. Such was the case this past weekend, when Brownsville's Emmit Gooden took an unofficial trip to the University of Memphis.

"It went well," said Gooden. "I went down there for the second time. It was a learning process. I learned about the program, learned about their defensive scheme and what the defensive end does in it. I also met a lot of the players."

Gooden liked everything he learned during the process. "I truly believe they are going in the right direction. They set the tone last season. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Memphis is a sleeping giant. They really have great coaches."

As many defensive line prospects have done before, Gooden came away raving about line coach Ricky Hunley. "Not many places can say they have a coach like him who was an All-American and is a leader."

Gooden recently cut his list to ten which includes Alabama, Arizona State, LSU, MTSU, Memphis, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.

Despite rumors to the contrary, he says there are no current leaders for his services, and he makes no promises that his top ten list will stay as is. "Colleges call me all of the time, and new schools could always come into the mix. Playing in the south is attractive, but he says he could also go other directions as long as it wasn't too far.

"I am wide open in my recruitment. I want to go where I fit into the defensive scheme. Having the right fit is important to me. I want to play right away and win championships. Lane College has offered me, and I will go play for them if that is the perfect fit."

Wherever he goes, Gooden could be a difference maker. "Coach Hunley couldn't believe my size. He told me he hardly ever tells a player this, but he said I could come in and play right away because my body is ready for the next level."

When asked to describe his style of play, Gooden responded, "When I put on the pads, I'm like a monster. I have a motor, and I'm nasty and hungry."

Gooden stated several times that his education is important to him, and he knows there is life after football. He plans to get his major in either Sports Marketing or Sports Management. Gooden still has to reach the required score of 18 on his ACT. He has gotten close, and he hopes to get that the next time he takes it.

As was said, Gooden's visits to Memphis have been unofficial and he still hasn't worked out his official visit schedule yet. He plans to cut down his list of ten schools to five and then set up his tours.

Meanwhile, he is focused on his upcoming high school season. Brownsville did not play on Week 1 in Tennessee. They will host Jackson Central-Merry in their opener this Friday night. Gooden's says his priority is to focus one game at a time, and not look ahead.

This could also be said about his recruiting process. "I don't know when my official visits will be or to where yet. My hope is to get picked for one of the two bowl games in January, the US Army All-American Bowl or the Under Armour All-America High School Football Game, and make my official announcement then."