Carter Gooden

Physical Profile

Possesses an elite frame for an EDGE prospect, listed at 6-foot-4 and weighing between 252-260 pounds. His background as a multi-sport athlete in hockey, lacrosse, and basketball is evident in his fluid movements and agility. He has the build to eventually carry 275 pounds or more in a college strength program, offering the versatility to play multiple positions along the defensive front, from a strong-side end to an interior pass rusher in certain packages.

Play Style

Gooden plays with a high-energy, disruptive style. He is a versatile pass rusher who uses a combination of a quick first step, bull rush, and athleticism to defeat blockers. He is consistently in the opponent's backfield and shows a knack for making impactful plays like sacks, tackles for loss, and forced fumbles. His background allows him to swiftly change direction and pursue plays down the line of scrimmage, showcasing an athleticism that is unique for his size.

Strengths

• Explosive first step and agility, allowing him to launch out of a two or three-point stance to effectively penetrate gaps.
• Positional versatility is a major asset; he has the skill set to play as a traditional edge rusher or move inside on the defensive line, creating mismatches.
• High motor and relentless pursuit, frequently making plays on the opposite side of the field. His production as a junior and senior (29 and 40 TFLs, respectively) demonstrates his consistent disruption in the backfield.

Areas to Improve

• Needs to consistently play with a lower pad level to maximize leverage against the run.
• As a player who is still relatively new to football, he needs to continue refining his hand-fighting technique and developing a wider array of pass-rush moves.
• While possessing good upper-body strength, he is not yet a true roadblock at the point of attack and will need to improve at setting a firm edge against collegiate-level offensive tackles.

College Projection

Gooden is projected to be an impact player for a high-level program. Given Tennessee's significant investment in defensive line recruits for the 2026 class, he will enter a competitive environment. Expect him to contribute in the defensive line rotation as a true freshman with the potential to develop into a multi-year, All-SEC caliber starter by his second or third year as he refines his technique.

NFL Outlook

With his combination of an elite frame, verified athleticism, and disruptive production at the high school level, Gooden projects as a future NFL Draft pick. His upside is significant, and if his development continues on its current trajectory, he has the potential to be a Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) selection. His positional versatility to fit in various defensive schemes will be a major asset at the professional level.

Best Fit

A versatile, multiple-front defensive scheme that allows him to attack from different alignments. He would excel in a system that values athletic, powerful defensive ends who can be moved around to exploit matchups, both as an edge rusher in a four-man front and potentially as a 3-4 defensive end.