LSU football wasn’t expected to make a big splash in the spring transfer portal, but that didn’t stop the Tigers from adding to its top ranked transfer class.
Last week, LSU added USF defensive tackle Bernard Gooden after Gooden visited LSU. Gooden was sought after
Gooden was the 17th transfer addition of the cycle for LSU. According to 247Sports, LSU’s group of transfers is the best in the country. Eleven of LSU’s 17 transfer signees are four-star players. LSU added quality and volume. Most of the class is expected to make a sizeable impact this fall. LSU head coach Brian Kelly said every transfer was on LSU’s two-deep depth chart in the spring.
That means every single addition was either starting or close to it.
LSU is counting on a highly-touted and experienced transfer class, along with the return of quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, to get the Tigers over the hump and into the playoff. Expectations are high in 2025.
Here’s a closer look at LSU’s latest addition: Bernard Gooden
Gooden brings pass rush potential to the interior defensive line
With 35 pressures in 2024, Gooden led all AAC defensive tackles. He’s a penetrator, and that fits with what LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker and defensive line coach Kyle Williams want up front.
According to PFF, Gooden’s pass rush win rate of 9.9% was top five among DL in the conference. He only finished the sack twice, but pressure up the middle is disruptive. Teams with strong pass rushers at defensive tackle force the quarterback to leave the pocket, allowing speed on the edge to finish the sack or forcing an errant throw.
LSU expects a strong pass rush in 2025, but there are a few questions about LSU’s transfer heavy group of defensive ends. If LSU’s edge rushers struggle, a proven disruptor like Gooden mitigates that.
LSU adds depth to the defensive line
Whether Gooded claims a starting role or not, LSU’s defensive tackle room’s depth just got a lot better.
LSU is returning Ahmad Breaux and Dominick McKinley after both made an impact as freshmen. Veteran Jacobian Guillory is set to return, too, after he missed most of 2024 with a lower-body injury. In the first portal window, LSU added former Texas DL Sydir Mitchell.
LSU sees all four of those players and Gooden as potential plus-starters at defensive tackle.
It’s a position that can be tough physically. LSU saw that last year with the loss of Guillory. The Tigers have much better insurance entering 2025. And if LSU is completely healthy, Baker has enough options to ensure he always as a fresh group out there.
How much experience does Gooden have?
Baker said LSU was looking for transfers with 500+ snaps of returning experience. Gooden fits that mold.
With USF in 2024, Gooden played 594 defensive snaps. He played 114 with Wake Forest in 2022, so he has a taste of Power Four football.
LSU’s defensive tackle room is young with Breaux and McKinley. The addition of Gooden gives LSU another veteran presence in the trenches.
How did Gooden grade out vs. the run?
We talked about the impact Gooden made rushing the passer, but here’s how graded out defending the run.
- 87.2 PFF run defense grade (3rd among AAC defensive tackles)
- 15 stops (15th among AAC defensive tackles)
- His average run stop was -0.2 yards (1st among all AAC defensive tackles)
- Gooden only missed one tackle defending the run all year
LSU is getting an impact player in all areas of the game. There will be questions about Gooden’s ability to do it at the SEC level — there always are when players make the jump — but Gooden’s 2024 numbers were impressive.
Where did Gooden rank as a high school recruit?
Coming out of high school, Gooden was a three-star recruit. According to 247Sports, he was the No. 154-ranked defensive lineman in the class and No. 58-ranked recruit in the state of Alabama. ESPN was higher on Gooden, slotting him No. 53 at his position and No. 32 in the state.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
