'08 IN WR John Goodman (3/4/07 Notre Dame LOI)

[Svoboda]

Wide Receiver
Bishop Dwenger (Fort Wayne, IN)

Ht: 6-foot-5
Wt: 190 lbs
Forty: 4.5 secs

Links of Interest: None

[Svoboda]

Reserved for photos.

[xfactor9600]

UM or ND... is what I'm hearing... I've seen the kid play a little bit of football. However, he's also a pretty decent basketball player as well. Don't worry I still think Football is his game at the next level.

[Svoboda]

There are a couple rumors from different folks I speak with that Goodman may pull the trigger this weekend to Notre Dame. He has said himself that he plans to decide soon, but the talent level at his junior day may entice him to pull the trigger now so he gets his spot on the bus. We'll see.

[rontdtarchala]

Man SVO I hope so I would just once like to see us get our verbs in and done with before season starts...like tx

[patrick316]

goodman is now irish

[Svoboda]

Not bad when you get a good verbal and you stick it to Michigan.

[BGIF]

Mar. 04, 2007
Dwenger’s Goodman commits to Notre Dame
By Michael Rothstein The Journal Gazette FortWayne.com
Bishop Dwenger wide receiver John Goodman orally committed to play football at Notre Dame beginning in 2008, his coach, Chris Svarczkopf, said during a phone interview Sunday.

Goodman was at Notre Dame’s junior day for potential prospects when he committed to Irish head coach Charlie Weis.

“He’s an outstanding combination of speed and fundamentals and work ethic,” Svarczkopf said. “He’s a great team player.

Goodman held off his decision until basketball season concluded. Dwenger lost to rival Bishop Luers in the Bellmont Sectional final Saturday night.

Goodman is the second commitment to Notre Dame in the Class of 2008, joining offensive lineman Mike Golic, the son of former Irish standout and ESPN radio host Mike Golic.

Weis is forbidden from discussing Goodman publicly until National Signing Day in February, 2008.

[irishrick]

GREAT FIND, I JUST HOPE THE COMMITMRENT IS THERE AND NO MORE OF THIS ZOOKIE/MEYER CRAP AT THE LAST MINUTE. HE IS USE TO THE WEWTHER , SO THAT SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM , KID LOOKS PRETTY FAST WHERE IS HE PROJEC TED TO PLAY? IKNOW CW CAN'T TALK ABOUT HIM FOR 11 MONTHS, THIS IS A BUNCH OF CRAP, WHAT SAY YOU ?

[rontdtarchala]

I am extactic I dont know if I can contain my emotions...I think a tear just welled up...no sorry that was the jalepeno on my burrito...

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Where do you find good burritos in INDY??? He sounds like a Shark clone as far as body type and agility. I hope he has the moves/hands to match. Welcome to ND!

[Svoboda]

Where do you find good burritos in INDY??? He sounds like a Shark clone as far as body type and agility. I hope he has the moves/hands to match. Welcome to ND!
La Bambas - Burritos as big as your head, homey.

[xfactor9600]

Favorite Quote:

“I have the next five years of my life set and my college all ready to go,” Goodman said. “I don’t have to worry about any more colleges talking to me or bothering me.
“I’m in the perfect position and I’m thankful for that.”

[BGIF]

Favorite Quote:

“I have the next five years of my life set ...

Planning on sitting out his freshman year already?

[isotopes]

He is still a junior....

[BGIF]

Thank you, 'topes.

He plans on playing as a freshman!

[xfactor9600]

La Bambas - Burritos as big as your head, homey.

Also... there is this great little burrito place off of 96th right by the Autograph Den... the name escapes me. Try a "Red Burrito"

[Svoboda]

Also... there is this great little burrito place off of 96th right by the Autograph Den... the name escapes me. Try a "Red Burrito"
The Red Habenero. Yes, they have great Mexican food, especially carne asada steak.

[xfactor9600]

THANK YOU... I've been racking my brains trying to remember the name.

[Troy's Enterprise Pride]

The Red Habenero. Yes, they have great Mexican food, especially carne asada steak.

cortinas de carne de vaca?

[untitledproject]

John Goodman is a 6-foot-4, 190-pound wide receiver out of Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne, IN. He was formally offered a scholarship by the Irish coaching staff on February 24th and joined fellow Indiana native Braxston Cave as Notre Dame's second and third commitments of the 2008 campaign during the program's March 4th junior day.

...


http://www.blueandgold.com/content/?aid=3978

Great piece on him.

[Svoboda]

Completed 4 of 9 passes for 71 yards and one touchdown. He also had a couple INTs but his team won 21-7. I really wish he was playing wideout because it is going to take him longer to get into the swing when he hits campus.

[IrishKnight1023]

http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070817/SPORTS0302/70817014

"I was like `Oh my God, it's coming now,' " Goodman said. "It was my best practice of the year in basketball. After practice I called him and he extended the offer to me and it was one of the best days of my life."

[IrishKnight1023]

http://jgwebblogs.typepad.com/high_school_sports/2007/08/dwenger-harding.html

---He plays WR for a only a few plays and snags a TD, nice.

“We thought with the defense they play, we thought we could do that and trick them a little bit. It worked out with a touchdown, and another pretty long pass. It is nice to go back to receiver. It felt really comfortable. The touchdown felt like the old days.”

[jason]

Dwenger runs the ball a lot and Goodman is the most athletic player for them so they switched him to QB. They are also the #1 ranked team in 4A (of 5 classes) in the state. Maybe if they weren't an excellent team they would keep Goodman at WR but with a chance to win state, you might as well put the ball in the hands of your best player every play.

Also, the kid is a great athlete. He'll be just fine coming into camp next year.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Oh thank goodness, for awhile I thought we were recruiting the guy from the Rosanne show. Thanx Mr. Obvious.

[irishunclebill]

Goodman has two running TD's as Bishop Dwenger rolled again over the weekend 43-3.

[irishunclebill]

Bishop Dwenger had a little more difficulty than expected over the weekend but moved to 4-0 with a 22-14 victory.

[irishunclebill]

Dwenger stays unbeaten at 7-0 with another easy victory, this time by 35-5 over South Side of Ft. Wayne.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Article on Goodman...

He said he thinks the coaches may have been worried that one of the players might have decided to decommit, though, especially with the way the Notre Dame season started. It was a legitimate concern considering the way Notre Dame finished 2006 and started 2007.
http://jgwebblogs.typepad.com/notre_dame/

[NDGirlzRock]

Man this recruiting class really is something special. And I can't wait to see Goodman long striding down the field in the seam or crossing route burning up the opposing secondary!!! With guys like Goodman the future is bright and the present is looking up!!!

[goirish41]

With all the talk about the possibility of CW taking another QB, but one who could play another position, does anyone else think we might already have a couple of guys like that in McCarthy and Goodman? They are both playing QB this year and their teams are both undefeated. Just a thought.

[irishunclebill]

With all the talk about the possibility of CW taking another QB, but one who could play another position, does anyone else think we might already have a couple of guys like that in McCarthy and Goodman? They are both playing QB this year and their teams are both undefeated. Just a thought.

McCarthy is a slim possibility in an emergency situation because of his athleticism and the fact that he has played that position against big time competition throughout High School. Goodman is only playing QB this year because of a team need, and although Dwenger is undefeated with him at the helm, their competition pales compared to Mooney. Also, Goodman is just too valuable a commodity at WR to ever be considered as a QB at ND.

I don't really see it as a problem with this class as once Crist arrives you have a 3 deep of Clausen, Sharpley, Crist for 2008. The only issue there is I would assume that they will not want to use Crist at all in 2008 unless they absolutely need to so that he can have at least two full years of eligibility after JC leaves, but the same may apply to Danny McCarthy as well, and to a lesser extent Goodman who may be forced to play some WR next year because of lack of depth.

In any case, I don't believe that CW is actually looking for another QB in the Class of 2008, he is just using the sudden lack of depth at that position as another rationale for athletes like Harper and Gerrell Robinson to consider ND. In Harper's case it may mean something because he is still convinced that he will play QB in college, Gerrell Robinson seems to have completely given that ghost up. If Harper and/or Gerrell Robinson do end up at ND, I would be amazed if either one of them ever plays a down at QB unless there is a dire emergency at that spot.

[robdog_5]

I think Weis has some vaulable players on this team and his recruiting class where if he wanted to create a wrinkle with McCarthy or Goodman or (possible commits) Cyrus Gray or Gerrell Robinson he could in a spread situation

[daytonirish]

One thing guys. Lets forget about the spread offense in S.B. Charlie needs to install his system, get the players understanding it, and make the other teams defense adjust to us.

[IrishChieftain777]

Here are some good articles on John.

http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071111/SPORTS0501/711110311/-1/SPORTS05

http://www.post-trib.com/sports/649186,hsfoot.article

With all of the talk about a "silent" commitment, Gerell Robinson's upcoming visit, and the endless commentary and anguish leading up to Mike Floyd's commitment, it has been too easy to overlook what could end up being a star on Saturday's.

[IrishR#1]

Bishop Dwenger lost yesterday 10-7. I'm bummed because I was going to see him play in the state championship.

[NDgrandson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ6-1aCMX6k

Here is the Goodman Army All American ceremony with interviews of him, his coach and highlights. Unfortunately the highlights are all at QB, but you can see that he can run with the ball. Should be a good one.

How do you imbed YouTube clips?

[stonebreakerwasgod]

My setup won't allow me, so who knows.

[irishunclebill]

Goodman had a visit from CB yesterday, and is supposed to meet with Ianello this weekend. Goodman may miss the banquet next weekend so he is most likely seeing Ianello to handle things that would normally take place at the banquet. CB's visit was just a courtesy call, which shows that the staff is staying on top of even the most ironclad ND recruits this year.

[daytonirish]

Gotta love the staff for the way the recruiting is being done these days. Almost makes you forget how the last staff did things.

[irishunclebill]

Gotta love the staff for the way the recruiting is being done these days. Almost makes you forget how the last staff did things.

Plus I think they learned a lesson from last year's Jan/Feb fiascoes.

[demetrius07]

It seems like all the clips of Johnny are at QB, but rivals might still have his junior highlights at WR. If they dont have it, try his myspace page, You'll have to search for dwenger football from the home page because his page is something rediculous like joooohhhhhnnnnyyyyy goooodmmmmaaaannn. And if that doesn't work, you'll just have to ask me about his highlights since I have seen every game of his at dwenger. BTW, he did line up a few times a game this year at WR and was very impressive still. During the Snider game, dwenger-snider is the fort wayne version of ND vs. USC, he lined up in the slot and every DB started pointing at him and he still blew right by all of them for about a 75 yard TD. Dont be fooled by the 4.5 forty that is posted on all his profiles, he is faster than that, he ran a 4.5 as a soph. You really have to see him run to know how fast he is, his stride is very long and can be deceiving. My prediction is he will be a turbo-charged Samardzija at Notre Dame.

[NDGirlzRock]

Welcome to GH D07!!! Great post!

[goirish41]

It seems like all the clips of Johnny are at QB, but rivals might still have his junior highlights at WR. If they dont have it, try his myspace page, You'll have to search for dwenger football from the home page because his page is something rediculous like joooohhhhhnnnnyyyyy goooodmmmmaaaannn. And if that doesn't work, you'll just have to ask me about his highlights since I have seen every game of his at dwenger. BTW, he did line up a few times a game this year at WR and was very impressive still. During the Snider game, dwenger-snider is the fort wayne version of ND vs. USC, he lined up in the slot and every DB started pointing at him and he still blew right by all of them for about a 75 yard TD. Dont be fooled by the 4.5 forty that is posted on all his profiles, he is faster than that, he ran a 4.5 as a soph. You really have to see him run to know how fast he is, his stride is very long and can be deceiving. My prediction is he will be a turbo-charged Samardzija at Notre Dame.

Thanks for the info demetrius07 and welcome aboard. I happen to think that Goodman could end up being the stud of this class when its all said and done.

[demetrius07]

Thanks for the info demetrius07 and welcome aboard. I happen to think that Goodman could end up being the stud of this class when its all said and done.
I think so too, but that may be a bit of a homer call though. Johnny went to the same grade school and high school that I did and he's friends with my younger brother. I'm just happy for John for getting the chance to play at ND, he's a good kid and he deserves it.

[NDisNCin2010]

w/ all this Omar paranoia today...nice to see this kind of commitment and understanding of it from "Johnny B" Goodman (did i just invent his ND nickname?):

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/SPORTS13/71202070/1204/Recruiting

[NDisNCin2010]

watched a bunch of free rivals video this morning and i love seeing all the recruits interviews, etc...they all seem like great guys, and one thing that sort of stuck out to me is that it seems that Newman and Goodman are always talking about each other and seem to be becoming best fo friends, i bet they end up roomates...kinda funny odd couple thing happenin there with those two...the tall, skinny kinda goofy kid and the 300 lb jokester fire hydrant.
also, i predict that when they are seniors, Newman and Crist will be the O and D Captains for ND.

[IrishChieftain777]

I agree, it's been great to see our 2008 class develop such a close bond. It will be exciting to see how that translates on the field.

A small point: ND players can't choose their roommates as frosh and seldom are placed with teammates. Exceptions would be EE's, probably for mutual support given their unique circumstances (EE's, athletics or otherwise). I think this is one of the many great things that separates ND from a lot of "football factories." The student-athletes really are a part of the student body.

[NDChatt]

I agree, it's been great to see our 2008 class develop such a close bond. It will be exciting to see how that translates on the field.

A small point: ND players can't choose their roommates as frosh and seldom are placed with teammates. Exceptions would be EE's, probably for mutual support given their unique circumstances (EE's, athletics or otherwise). I think this is one of the many great things that separates ND from a lot of "football factories." The student-athletes really are a part of the student body.

That is a great pic.

[IrishChieftain777]

Thanks. It's from the SI article on the incoming class.

(I know it's already been referenced in another thread, but here it is: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/kevin_armstrong/01/04/notre.dame/index.html)

I actually set this up as my signature last Friday, but this is my first post since then.

[iloveirish_12]

I see John is a 3-star on rivals. Was he a 4-star before?

[NDgrandson]

This is how it goes down for Goodman. He may not get much PT his FR year but as Kamara, Floyd and Walker improve and start to draw double teams, Goodman will start cleaning up on 1 on 1 coverage and he cannot be left with a short DB. You can't put your tall DBs on him either with the TEs we have and our other WRs have decent height too. Just as we need to start thinking about defending the spread with several DBs, our rivals will have to account for an armada of 6'3"+ WRs and TEs 6'5"+. Mismatches galore. All we need is time for Clausen to survey the field, and a good ground game (have it already) and our O will roll. Goodman will make those who made the case for 3 stars regret it.

[Fishin'_Irish]

Faxing his LOI at 8 AM tomorrow morning.

[notredomer23]

I think I saw him at the game, but i am not a 100% sure on that

[IrishKnight1023]

http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080622/SPORTS/806220387


Hard-working Irish receiver is living his dream

He woke up at 4:30 a.m. three times a week, stared at his bedroom ceiling for about 10 minutes and questioned everything.

John Goodman knew the reason his alarm clock went off. He had to go to the gym for intense workouts before finishing his final days at Bishop Dwenger. Goodman may have worked harder than he ever had before as he closed his high school career.

And each time he asked himself, “What am I doing with my life?”

If Goodman plans on playing as a freshman wide receiver for Notre Dame, he had no choice but to put in the hard work. So he dragged himself out of bed – standing up was the hardest part – and went downstairs. He ate a small bowl of cereal and drank a big glass of water before he drove to Absolute Results Personal Fitness Training for personalized sessions with Jason Rubin and Mike Pratt.

Goodman, who was often the youngest and only non-staff member at the gym, would run a mile and lift weights.

One day he’d work on his back and biceps. Another he would focus on his chest and triceps. The third day he worked on his legs.

“You wouldn’t think it’s hard, but it’s hard to think about what you’re doing this for at 4:30 in the morning,” Goodman said. “But I do, and I realize it’s for something special.”

Goodman’s dedication started when Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis offered him a scholarship before a basketball practice.

The day after Dwenger’s season ended in March 2007, he committed to the Irish.

Goodman is officially part of Notre Dame, having finished his first week of summer classes.

But to become a factor in football, he knew he had to add muscle to a frame that looks more suited for a basketball player or hurdler than a wide receiver.

When Goodman started training, his lack of strength was obvious. He could only lift 225 pounds “two or three reps,” Rubin said. Goodman, who had played sports every season at Dwenger, had never focused on getting stronger.

The first week was the worst.

“After that week, I lost eight pounds because they break you down and it’s just horrible,” Goodman said. “It’s absolutely horrible. Your muscles are getting back into it and you’re absolutely sore from head to toe and you don’t want to do anything. You’re miserable.”

Goodman never missed a workout and slowly, the results showed.

By May, he was lifting 225 pounds five times and regained all the weight he had lost, plus a couple of pounds to reach 194.

On his last 225-pound test before leaving for Notre Dame, he reached between 12 and 15 reps. Not bad for a kid who said he never had upper-body strength.

“He has tons of potential to grow,” Rubin said. “I could see him 30 pounds heavier.

“He is definitely very, very toned. He’s got true muscle, but he has definite mass he can put on and he will. Twenty to 30 pounds of muscle mass he can put on without losing speed.”

After the hour-and-a-half workout, Goodman would go home, take a nap, eat his second meal of the day – two peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches without the crust, a chocolate chip muffin and apple juice – and leave for school by 7 a.m..

Less than two days later, he’d start all over again to prepare for his Notre Dame career.

“It’s also in the back of my mind a dream come true,” Goodman said. “I don’t think about that enough. I kind of forgot about that. I kind of got to the point where I was scared, but I’ve gone back to remembering that it’s a dream.

“I’ll be living the dream once I’m up there.”

Even if the dream means losing sleep.

[rontdtarchala]

good stuff... gets me going... come on august!

[NDisNCin2010]

That a boy, Johnny!



great read...kids gonna be the next Shark.

[NDgrandson]

I had been calling for Goodman in the wildcat and I thought he did a good job with it. Not only that, but when the ball was thrown his way he looked like Rudolph out there. He is a big guy and he is fast. I say put him in at WR, wildcat and punt return. If he has the toughness to stand in and return the punts that Tate fair catches, we have a shot to gain yards or score instead of just taking over at the spot of the catch. Maybe with Parris hurt (haven't heard how bad yet) Goody will get some more PT. I think either way, he is worthy of it.

edit: I didn't mention it, but obviously part of the draw of him at wildcat is that he can throw, and throw deep.

[ndcufan]

it seemed like the wildcat was working well with him in...why did we abandon it? also, i think that goodman will throw for a td by the end of the year

[Griff Cannon]

it seemed like the wildcat was working well with him in...why did we abandon it? also, i think that goodman will throw for a td by the end of the year

I hope he doesn't have to, I know he can throw it a long ways but to think we would need a 60 yard pass late in a game makes me sad.

[SpanishElite]

it seemed like the wildcat was working well with him in...why did we abandon it? also, i think that goodman will throw for a td by the end of the year

Cant really say why ND went away from the WC. I havent re watched the game yet.. but it did look like ND was having some success with it. Maybe because CW wanted to get more rhythm in the passing game with Clausen because they struggled in the 1st half with it so much? Maybe USC was doing something to it to slow it down. Not sure. I did like the read option with Clausen on the goal line and also during the middle of the field on that last drive.

[goirish41]

Cant really say why ND went away from the WC. I havent re watched the game yet.. but it did look like ND was having some success with it. Maybe because CW wanted to get more rhythm in the passing game with Clausen because they struggled in the 1st half with it so much? Maybe USC was doing something to it to slow it down. Not sure. I did like the read option with Clausen on the goal line and also during the middle of the field on that last drive.

would have loved for CW to save that read option for the last play of the game, but agree it caught them completely off guard.

[ALLND62]

I am not so sure they abandoned it I think Jimmy was getting it done so they stayed with the standard offense.

[Purebred Irishman]

I think this video shows that maybe Weis is looking at using Goodman more in the offence from now on

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/33400898#33400898

[JMR8]

I like it. Goody's my boy. He wasn't the highest rated recruit, but I was excited when he comitted.

[JMR8]

Looked good and real quick on the post route for his first TD!

[Win4Gipper]

It is great having so many talented WRs I just hope they can all be patient while they wait thier turn to hit the field.... Goodman has been fun to watch and it will be interesting to see how they can utilize his talents

[morrdave9]

Rumor that he is looking at Indiana for his 5th year.

Should be a good opportunity for him.

[IrishGrizz]

Rumors for all the Srs w a year left of eligibility could look towards Toledo ? w Coach I pre-disposed to play them?

Good luck to any of them that want to play that last year somewhere else.

[irishunclebill]

Rumors for all the Srs w a year left of eligibility could look towards Toledo ? w Coach I pre-disposed to play them?

Good luck to any of them that want to play that last year somewhere else.

Akron Grizz.

[IrishGrizz]

Thanks IUB.

Most of those Ohio schools blend for me!

Now if they had a Blue turf field,................

[irishunclebill]

Thanks IUB.

Most of those Ohio schools blend for me!

Now if they had a Blue turf field,................

Power to the smurf turf!

[IrishFan123]

Rumor that he is looking at Indiana for his 5th year.

Should be a good opportunity for him.

Highly Doubt it

[stonebreakerwasgod]

As bad as Akron is, who says Ianello is going to be there.

[jbrown_9999]

Goodman's ND senior moment: Burglary at his apartment

Goodman's ND senior moment: Burglary at his apartment - Chicago Tribune (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-11-15/sports/chi-goodmans-notre-dame-senior-moment-burglary-at-his-apartment-20111115_1_senior-moment-window-roommate)

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Wasn't me. But Marv has brand new Irish gear. So.....

[KamaraPolice]

As bad as Akron is, who says Ianello is going to be there.

Heard akron as possible destination for Fickell actually.

[Sparks inda Loo]

The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette is saying that John will come back to ND for a 5th year.

I saw the link over on ND Nation. Good news for "Goody" but I'm more than a little surprised that he'd be offered another year just based on production and scholarship numbers.

[IrishCrasher]

The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette is saying that John will come back to ND for a 5th year.

I saw the link over on ND Nation. Good news for "Goody" but I'm more than a little surprised that he'd be offered another year just based on production and scholarship numbers.
I believe he has upswing, he has been buried in a depth chart. Yet has always showed on the two man roster. We need experience back at this position. He will bring that experience, even if his sole purpose is to bring the young talented Freshman up to speed, it will be a good use of scholarship. I like this 5th year return.

[KamaraPolice]

+1 Irish Crasher.

Show that leadership. I know he is ND through and through. I'm happy for the kid. Gives him a shot a redemption.

[Purebred Irishman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFp5cE-03Do&list=PLB46C21B1B5B4B421&index=5&feature=plpp_video

[IrishK]

Great kid, sounds pumped. I hope he does well. He was excellent at waving his hand in the air last season.

[Purebred Irishman]

IrishIllustrated.com - Goodman's consistency catches up (http://notredame.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1353897&PT=4&PR=2)


John Goodman sees his college career counting down by the day.

Deep inside the Guglielmino Center is a clock tracking the hours until the opener against Navy in Dublin, Ireland on Sept 1. The start of next season will be the beginning of the end for Goodman, whose college career has been a four-year story of frustration with a possible surprise ending.


“That just counts down every single day,” Goodman said. “One day it’s at 160, one day it’s at 140, it keeps going down and down. I’m outta here after the season. I have less than a year here left at Notre Dame.

“I’ve got to make my dream come true.”

The reasons why Goodman hasn’t yet are complex. He enrolled with Michael Floyd and got stuck behind the most prolific receiver in school history. Goodman has picked up hamstring strains and other injuries, admitting he hasn’t always fought through them. One regime change and three position coaches hasn’t helped either.

So if Goodman wanted to find an excuse why he’s made just 28 catches and why his only touchdown grab came in the final game Charlie Weis won at Notre Dame, the Fort Wayne product could find them.

Goodman did. He looked at himself.

“I think it was definitely my fault last year, the playing time, the catches and how many minutes I had total,” Goodman said. “Eventually I worked my way through the season, kind of like how I worked my way through the season just to get that fifth year to just work on the small things to get better and better.”

Notre Dame hasn’t shown much to the public this spring, but Goodman has turned enough heads that praise for the 6-foot-3, 207-pound receiver comes from virtually all sources. Even if the Irish work the run game and multiple tight end sets more this season, Notre Dame still needs Goodman to be more than a default starter.

If all goes according to plan, the fifth-year senior will be. He’s earned the confidence of the coaching staff this spring which seems to have created a feedback loop. The more praise Goodman gets, the more confident he becomes, the more he produces and the more praise he earns.

“It’s noticeable what a spring Goody is having. I’m really happy to see it,” said Mike Golic Jr. “He’s a guy who’s done nothing but work hard his four years. That’s all you can ask of anybody. Regardless of talent, circumstances, opportunity, we want guys that are going to come here and work hard day-in and day-out.

“Anytime you’ve got a guy that comes in here and busts his butt like that, especially for as long as Goody has, you always have people on your side for that.”

Goodman admitted getting moved all over the depth chart the past few years knocked him off stride mentally, a past problem considering the Irish have no receiver depth this spring.

With just six scholarship receivers, one being a former quarterback, the Irish can’t afford to take Goodman off the field. That’s a contrast to the past couple years when it seemed Brian Kelly wouldn’t risk putting Goodman on it, short of shagging punts.

“I was always just worried about whether I was going to come into that practice and they were going to move me around on the depth chart,” Goodman said. “That worry isn’t there any more for me.

“I go out and I know I’m going to be in that starting spot. I just have that confidence that I’m going to be consistent every day. That makes the biggest difference.”