Tennessee has found a new option at the center position.
Darin Gooch, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound center from Butte Community College in Oroville, Calif., signed to play football for UT this fall.
Gooch will begin taking classes in the first session of summer school on Thursday. His arrival in Knoxville would have been hard to imagine a year ago.
Gooch arrived at Butte last fall as a 225-pounder from McQueen High School in Reno, N.V. He gained enough weight to play for Butte at close to 260 pounds as a freshman.
After a spring dedicated to working out and eating right, Gooch's weight topped more than 300 pounds.
"I gained a lot of weight, got better and kept my quickness up," Gooch said. "I did what I needed to do."
His work paid off in the form of a scholarship to UT.
Gooch had received interest from Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh, Colorado, Boise State and Arizona, but UT was the only school to offer a spot this fall.
Gooch took it.
"It's a big SEC school," he said of UT. "I'm the first kid from my high school to actually go to an SEC school so I'm really excited about that."
Gooch will have an opportunity to play immediately as the Vols continue to look for help at center.
Senior Victor Thomas and junior Cody Pope battled at the position during the spring, but neither player emerged as the clear starter.
UT's coaching staff expressed its need to Gooch.
"I'm going to work as hard as I can to get in there and start next season," he said.
Arriving for summer workouts will give Gooch that opportunity.
Butte head coach Jeff Jordan pointed to Gooch's intelligence and work ethic.
"He's a really good kid," Jordan said. "He's very smart so I think he should be able to pick up on it pretty quickly.
"I know he'll give everything he's got. He'll give every ounce and be willing to put everything out there on the table."
That will start this week when Gooch arrives in Knoxville. He said he looks forward to adjusting to life in the Southeast.
"I'm expecting something totally new and I'm excited about that," he said. "Everyone seems really friendly over there and I'm really happy that I get to be a part of that community."
Josh Ward is a freelance contributor.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 91
SEC1 writes:
WoW!!! Vandy did not offer, this is desperate at the highest level.
txsvol#372416 writes:
OK--Does this mean that Dallas Hendrickson is going elsewhere, or will there be competition for the center spot? It's obvious that the coaching staff has no confidence in either of the two options they saw at Spring Practice. Sounds like Gooch gorged himself, putting on much more than the 'freshman fifteen.' Has anybody seen any film on him? GBO! SAVol
tnsportsman writes:
Excellent find Coach Dooley! Gooch looks, acts and seems like a great fit!
GO VOLS, WE ARE UT!
kingwoodtx_vol writes:
Okay, lets play coach a little after looking at the film. I see a player that:
1. Understands multiple level blocking schemes.
2. Can get downfield and block on screen passes.
3. The negative, he appears to play very high and used his physical strength to knock defensive linemen back. In the SEC, he will have to play much lower. The DL on the other side of the line of scrimmage will be as strong or stronger than he is. 500 pound bench pressers are a dime a dozen in this league.
But, all in all, he looks like he can play center in the SEC if he continues to study and work on technique. You real coaches out there, how did I do!
Kevinyaheard writes:
"Butte head coach Jeff Jordan pointed to Gooch's intelligence and work ethic."
Huh Huh Huh, BUTTE Head coach.....hahaha
rootin4volz writes:
Based on the film it looks like the kid has a motor that won't quit. We'll have to see how it runs against SEC DLs, though.
Realist writes:
Not too bad. Running plays he consistently knocks his man off the ball. One play, he decleats three different players. Good luck to him!
rclarkfork#639958 writes:
Very athletic for a 300 pound guy....with the right weight program, this guys desire and some coaching, it would seem this could have been a very good find for us.
OrangeinCarolina2 writes:
Now let's get this straight- after spring practice the coaching staff recognizes the deficiency at center. They proceed to recruit a big athletic center who has college experience to come it and shore up the o line this year. Sounds a whole lot like they're doing their job quite well. So to all of you so-called fans who consider themselves to be SEC recruiters and coaches, I have but one thing to say- STIFLE YOURSELF! Let the coaches do their job and let us fans do ours- support 'em, encourage 'em and yell like crazy for the BIG ORANGE. GO VOLS!
alwaysVol writes:
CDD is adding depth to the Oline, nothing wrong with that.
nola_vol writes:
Pronounced "byoot" ...just in case you weren't posting that "in character."
tsaecesnitsebhtruof writes:
No but Vandy did "show interest".
jakethevolguy writes:
It didn't say that Vandy didn't offer. It said that UT was the only school that had a scolly for this fall, numbnuts.
SEC1 writes:
This is exactly why you will be 2-6 by nov. if ut does not have a center on it's current roster things must be bad, all im saying is this guy have not seen the beast dl in the sec he will get his lunch ate every week bama, gators, lsu, front seven will have a field day. i understand ut fans have to stay positive but this is highly unusual or highly desperate.
Realist writes:
Sarcasm my friend. Relax a little!
DaddyVol writes:
If his playing skills are even minimally better than your grammatical skills, we will be alright.
It's scary to think we are going to be "ate" every week.
txvolsfan writes:
The other schools didn't have the schollies to offer this year!!!
Would you learn football before you comment on it???
It is really quite embarrassing for you to be so ignorant on this subject!!!!
Down_The_Field writes:
another proud alabubba fan since 2008.
txvolsfan writes:
Doc, you probably know more better than the rest of us but that didn't seem that healthy to me???
txvolsfan
txvolsfan writes:
After 15 years of obscurity you would think they would be a little more humble, BUT heck they thought Mike Price was a great coach until that darn pole dance got in the way!!! and then Francetti was great till that power house A&M came calling, then Dubose was the greatest coach in the country until he wasn't!!!
You would think Mal Moore is the greatest AD in the world now, heck it only took 15 years and 5 coaches to get it right!!!
I wish my boss was that understanding!!!
GO VOLS
GO CDD
TXVOLSFAN
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Sounds about right to me..Faced some good sized JUCO DL's but none that had SEC skills;Bama's nose guard will push him around like a bowling ball..With our coaching and practicing against Hughes he will learn
txsvol#372416 writes:
I'm a 55+ year FAN of UT, having followed us since 1956, when we went 10-0. There was film of Dallas Hendrickson available when I read the article on him, so I wanted to compare the two candidates, and wasn't smart enough to check out YouTube first, wasting time googling Darin Gooch, Butte CC, Reno High Schools, VolQuest, Scout, etc. As a FAN, I agree with the comments about Gooch--he and the RG are good drive blockers, he had several pancakes (but this is not SEC football), and is good at getting to the second level. I'm not sure how good he is in pass protection, but I'd like to see us sign both Gooch and Hendrickson, and have them battle it out. One could even move to guard! But, Dr. Freud, I appreciate your 'advice.' Doesn't take much to crack you up, does it? Go Vols! SAVol
tnbigg writes:
My bet? He will be a valuable resource for us immediately. All the goofballs who rant negative jive every time anything Tennessee football is written need to get some kind of mental health assistance. My guess? Inadequate male specific components seems to have generated low self esteem while creating an emotionally driven need to deride others in order to offset the lifelong tribulations associated with male inadequacy and female derision. The term "hey tiny" resounds loudly like a stadium loud speaker clearly in their minds every minute of every day. The only way to offset that syndrome is to taunt others while feeling ten feet tall and bullet proof behind a computer board of anonymity. I'm just sayin'...
FEARinSEC writes:
Yeah, because the only way to tell how good a player is would be to look at his offer list. Fills a need and puts a warm body on the roster. Exactly what we need right now. What you call desperation, I call planning for the immediate future.
WoW,SEC1, you are so smart!!
kazoo writes:
Here's the thing: If he's strong and can stay low, he could help. If he's not strong, he won't. Weak centers mean a collapsing middle of the OL on both runs and passes--bad. Strong centers keep the middle of the line strong--good. He will face some big, strong DL in the SEC of a type that he's never faced before. Here's hoping.
ThurmondEppy writes:
Holy cow. By my math he gained 80lbs in two years? Yikes. Go git em big un!
cloudodust writes:
With high school recruits taking a Wait and See regarding CDD vs the hop on the Lane Train approach of yesterday, we'll need to fill some needs with JUCO. Someone want to tell me what UT's options are as of now, not tomorrow. I'm thankful that the guys that came in early over the winter are in it for their commitments to the University of Tennessee. It shows character that appears lacking in one wish-washy flip flopping RB that can't openly decide his immediate future...
TruthGeneral writes:
If people only knew the truth on how LAZY Dooley really is.
ladyvolsfan1 writes:
"he will get his lunch ate"? Surely you only graduated from the 6th grade, Jethro!!!
finn writes:
I think we just found Tyler Bray's new roommate and nutrition advisor. That being said, you don't often hear gaining 80lbs described as 'eating right.'
GerryOP writes:
If Dooley thinks he's good enough to play for the Vols, I'll take his word for it.
94 -- Fear The Dooley Dude...
GerryOP writes:
Hey far distant in-law relative 5 times removed, are you sayin' what I think you're sayin'?
bigpapa writes:
I guess all Bama has to do to replace players is offer Forrest Gump's son, nephew, and cousins. I bet Vandy wouldn't offer them either.
tnsportsman writes:
It was reported yesterday on 104 The Zone that Hendrikson was on campus last weekend, that CDD and Staff would let him know by Friday or Monday if they plan to offer.
Coaches are in Destin, FL at the SEC Spring meetings until Friday.
GO VOLS, WE ARE UT!
GerryOP writes:
I suggest Dooley said, "Here's a guy who can play center, that will release Victor and Cody to help fill holes in the line."
Naaawww, Dooley is far too desparate to be thinking like that.
Sheesh, last year it was mostly Gata trolls on here pickin' at us, this year it is those Bammer guys. Must be something about being #1 that causes these clowns to get all insecure about UT.
FearTheVols1252 writes:
Ok, coach - since you seem to have it all figured out… if you were CDD and inherited this lack of depth, what would you do? Wait for next years recruiting class, or would you try to hit the junior colleges to fill some needs?
Just because the kid hasn’t played in the SEC doesn’t automatically suggest he won’t be able to. Guess what? Most high school kids coming into college haven’t played in the SEC either, but we trust based on their ability level that they can be coached up to do so. Obviously the coaches saw that he had enough skill and work ethic to mold him into an SEC player. This is why we have coaches… to help develop the talent we have… just in case you were wondering.
Volunatic writes:
Welcome to Knoxville, Darin! We're glad to have you here.
GO VOLS!!!
Carlitovol writes:
haha, way to go txvolsfan - it's not often that you see the trolls get all flustered and defensive on these boards. looks like you hit a nerve!! i love it..
Ayres_Hall writes:
Who cares if he can play or not? We had an open scholly and a 6'2" 300 pounder with a 3.8 gpa took it.
We played with two undersized walk-ons last year.... geez.
KevDVol writes:
The interest from the likes of Vandy, Pitt, Colorado, Boise and Arizona coupled with his coach's kind remarks about his ability make me want predict that Gooch will at least earn a Participation Ribbon before all is said and done.
I do like his size (that can't be coached). Obviously, we are at Defcon 5 at the O lineman position. Coach 'em up DD!
RoadTrip writes:
And still whipped Bama all over the field, except for our kicker...
Size, quickness, aggressive, intelligent - will take it any day of the week over a high school hopeful. Welcome aboard Darin and great job coaches!
As to the Butte comments - where did Kurt Warner go to school - Northern Iowa. It's not where they start, it's where they finish.
GBO!
vol88 writes:
It ain't hard. I'm working on it myself. lol.
gbeejr#1354500 writes:
I was a little surprised that Gooch looked as good as he did and no previous offers. Maybe a reason for that is that he plays center and that position can be sterotyped as not being able to play multiple positions. Maybe not the perfect size and speed either for some and he did come about his weight very fast. And maybe the Butte College program doesn't get a lot of attention. In any case I think a nice pick up for so late in the year. And you never know who is going to surprise - no big programs offered Harry Galbraith and looked what he accomplished through hard work and determination (not a prediction). Give the kid a chance, you just never know. Go Vols and Go Gooch!
volpreacher writes:
Make UT quit like they did last year when UT actually beat Alabubba? Yea, that was good. Alabubba has issues this year too, you might want to worry about those.
RockyTopRenegade writes:
Spot on.
.....and the multiple name/single source posters must be riddled with premature finishes. That way they can fall back on an alter ego when the first one gets deflated.
Oh, yea, elated we now have a BIG natural center. Thanks, CDD.
marnel1958 writes:
Don't forget the $$$ MULTI-MILLION $$$
they had to lure a quality coach...er, uh...LIAR
volman2010 writes:
beast
tnbigg writes:
Uh huh! :)
tnbigg writes:
Thanks and I agree with you too. Go Vols!
jack_2222#231746 writes:
So many on here remind me of the guy who won't ask out a girl until somebody else does, who won't buy a car or truck unless his friends tell him it's cool, who doesn't wear anything until he sees others wearing it.
A bunch of sheep, followers who only regurgitate what they hear and lack the confidence to act without the approval of others.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.