Goede's gone national; he talks recent Alabama, Notre Dame and UCLA offers
KENNESAW, Ga. — Ryland Goede is busy playing baseball right now for Kennesaw (Ga.) Kennesaw Mountain, so he is not on the road visiting colleges or taking in spring practices, but the offers continue to flow in.
The last three have been pretty big. It is pretty safe to say that the 6-foot-5, 240 pound sophomore tight end is a national prospect. Alabama, Notre Dame and UCLA are the last three schools to offer Goede.
Not only does he pass the eye test, but he carries a 3.9 GPA, he is a self-driven student-athlete, he competes hard in everything he's involved in, and oh yeah, he is a pretty good football player too. He has soft hands, he wins jump-balls and he will be that go-to guy on the next level.
He will pick back up this summer with visits once his sophomore year comes to an end and he could squeeze in a couple short trips this spring around baseball and camps, but his main focus right now is finishing the year strong in the classroom and helping his school win baseball games. Baseball is his first love, but his future is in football. The last three schools to offer all have his attention too.
IN HIS OWN WORDS...
ALABAMA: "I have been to Alabama three or four times already," said Goede. "I have seen games, I have been to camp, and everyone knows that everything is great there. I really have watched O.J. Howard a lot the last few years and I love how they have used him, how they get him open and how they feature him in their offense. It shows me they know how to use tight ends. I really like the campus and I know I will be back over there."
NOTRE DAME: "This offer was kind of a surprise to me. I know their coaches followed me on Twitter a couple of weeks ago, but other than that, I had not heard from them. I know they have put out some top tight ends, but other than that and their history, I don't know much more than that. It is definitely a school that has my attention. It is Notre Dame, so I now want to get up there for a visit."
UCLA: "I was at UCLA at last year during my fall break and I really liked it. It is just different out there. It is a different feel. The campus is beautiful and it doesn't compare to anything else I have ever seen. The coaches out there are great, the people are fun to be around and it just has that special feel to it. It is definitely a school I plan to see again."
ON THE ATTENTION: "It is pretty cool to get this attention and the offers I have gotten. I have to give all of the glory to God first. It is a pretty cool experience, but I know I still I have a lot to do and a lot to work on. I am just enjoying it all right now."
DECISION TIMELINE: "I am going to wait it out. I just want to take my time. I know a lot of guys are committing early, but I still have two years, so I know there will be coaching changes and all that, so I want to wait until my senior year. I want to make sure I commit, stay committed and not be someone who commits too early, then de-commits."
RIVALS REACTION: Goede is one of the most mature young men you will find in the 2019 class. He processes things well, he sees the big picture and he is taking the slow approach in recruiting. If the school is right for him, Goede will sign with them regardless of distance. He is going to take many visits to schools near and far the next 18 months and he is nowhere near a decisions. He currently has no favorites.
