Goodrich to Clemson
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For the second time in three years, Clemson pulled the strings to land another big defensive back from just outside Kansas City.
Lee’s Summit (Mo.) West four-star cornerback Mario Goodrich kicked off National Signing Day by committing to the Tigers on a local television broadcast.
Goodrich (6-2, 180), ranked No. 99 nationally by Rivals.com, picked Clemson over LSU and Georgia. He initially committed to Nebraska last spring over offers from Oklahoma, Iowa, Kansas State and Kansas before withdrawing his pledge upon the Cornhuskers’ coaching change.
LSU in particular tried to charge this past week, but the Tigers had already secured their target.
Clemson actually expressed interest last May when cornerbacks coach Mike Reed traveled out to see Goodrich during the spring evaluation period.
But the Tigers didn’t formalize pursuit until conveying an offer Jan. 18.
Things moved fast from there, as Clemson carefully procured a later official visit after LSU and Georgia.
Goodrich and family came in a week-and-a-half ago and shut down his recruitment afterward, canceling their last planned visit.
"The coaching staff, I felt like I was right at home," Goodrich said. "The coaches, the players, they're always happy. I had that feeling in my chest."
Dabo Swinney then spearheaded a contingency including defensive coordinator Brent Venables, Reed and safeties coach Mickey Conn and were at Goodrich’s school to start the following Monday morning.
"We knew it was the right choice literally when we got there (for the official visit," Goodrich's mother said. "Dabo is the man."
Goodrich becomes the 16th member of Clemson’s class, 11 of which carry a rating of four-star or higher.
The Tigers’ biggest remaining need this cycle stood to be defensive back, and they nabbed another option with size and length who could play corner or safety.
Clemson's recruiting class entered today ranked third nationally in star rating average, a 4.0 mark, which represents its highest in program history.
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