Goodman is one good-looking prospect

MATTHEWS, N.C. – Clemson found a good one in Malliciah Goodman, the type of player most college covet. Why? Just take one look at him in person.

Goodman is a 6-foot-4, 258-pound lineman who possesses ultra-long arms, humungous hands, super grades and can run well. At the Five-Star Academy this past weekend held at Butler High School in Matthews, N.C., Goodman stood out as the most impressive physical specimen of the group.

"I do have a long wing span," Goodman, from Florence (S.C.) West Florence, said after the event. "They look at that and my height. Plus, I use my hands well."

The talented defensive end runs the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds, boasts a 3.26 GPA, bench presses 290 pounds, power cleans 330 pounds, squats 420 pounds, vertically jumps 33 inches and has an 84-inch wing span. Oh yeah, and his hands are the size of couch cushions. When drawing up the body of a defensive end, Goodman would be a close match. However, as put together as the Clemson commitment is, he's still a work in progress.

"I'm working on improving all of those things right now," he said of his physical and academic attributes. "I've really gotten faster this spring and also am getting stronger."

Goodman figures to continue a great recent tradition on the defensive line for the Tigers. Gaines Adams was selected in the first round of the NFL draft last year. Phillip Merling projects to get picked high next month, Ricky Sapp was a five-star recruit a few years ago and Daquan Bowers was regarded by Rivals.com as the nation's best strongside defensive end in the 2008 class.

"The body type I have, I can put on more weight to help my size," the Palmetto State product hinted. "I think I can fit in."

Goodman can fit in as a strongside defensive end or possibly move inside with his big frame. Wherever he ends up playing at Clemson, expect a big impact. Holding other offers from South Carolina and Virginia and picking up new ones from Maryland and Tennessee were only formalities, as Goodman will be a Tiger.

"I love it up there," the prized junior stated. "I just like their academics and I like how the coaching staff brought me in as a family member and just the school itself and the location."

He especially bonded well with his recruiting coach, Dabo Swinney, and recruiting coordinator Billy Napier.

"They are great guys," the touted 2009 prospect said. "I was blown away how they recruit and stuff. It was like I've known them my whole life. I was going to go to the spring game, but I have an ACT that day. I might go to a practice or might go later."

As for the Five-Star Academy, as a committed player Goodman didn't need to show up to learn about the recruiting process since it was already over. However, he wanted to attend anyhow.

"It was good to see how other players stack up and look and meet some new people," he said. "It was only like a 90-minute trip for us so it was no big deal and I still learned a lot."