Evan Goodwin

Physical Profile

Goodwin's frame is the headline trait: elite height and arm length at 6-7 with 325 pounds that he carries fairly well for a high schooler, giving him a naturally wide pass-protection radius. His length lets him cast a 'wide shadow' against edge rushers and recover late in reps that line> with shorter wingspans would lose. Testing numbers reportedly show above-average combine athleticism relative to his size, but the functional athleticism in pads still needs to catch up to the workout movement — a common gap for big-bodied tackles whose mass outpaces their current play strength and knee bend.

Play Style

On film Goodwin operates as a true high school left tackle who wins early reps with length and a wide kick-slide base, swallowing rushers in pass pro by occupying space and extending his arms to keep defenders off his chest. He's at his best in the run game, where his size and finish-the-block temperament let him displace and bury defenders, and he flashes enough range to pull and climb to linebackers. The tendencies to clean up are leverage-related: as a tall blocker he can play high and let his hands arrive late, so his most dominant reps come when he stays low and strikes first rather than catching and steering.

Strengths

• Rare height/length combination (6-7) that maximizes pass-pro reach and creates difficult angles for speed rushers trying to win the edge — a true left-tackle measurable profile
• Plays with a finisher's mentality, particularly in the run game, looking to bury defenders through the whistle and flashing pop as a puller or climber to the second level
• Carries 325 pounds with good distribution and tested as an above-average athlete for his size, signaling a frame that can add functional weight without sacrificing mobility

Areas to Improve

• Point-of-attack power and hand placement — needs more consistent, accurate first-contact hands and the lower-body torque to anchor and finish rather than relying on length to mask leverage losses
• Functional athleticism in pads versus shorts-and-shells testing — must improve knee bend, recovery footwork, and pad level so the strong combine movement shows up against live high-major speed and counters

College Projection

Goodwin projects as a redshirt-then-develop tackle at SMU with realistic multi-year-starter upside. Given his size, the most likely early path is a move to right tackle (with guard as a contingency if mobility plateaus), where his length and power play up and the speed-of-game demands are slightly more forgiving than the blindside. Expect a year or two of strength-and-technique development in a college program before he competes for a starting job, with the ceiling of an anchor tackle if the functional athleticism and hand technique come along.

NFL Outlook

As a four-star with prototypical tackle length and a frame that scouts believe carries 'pro upside,' Goodwin has legitimate draftable traits if he develops. Tall, long left-tackle bodies that prove they can bend and anchor are perennially valued, and his run-game finish translates. The draft outcome hinges entirely on developmental questions — pad level, hand timing, and pass-set athleticism against college edge rushers. Floor is a quality multi-year college starter; ceiling with proper development is a mid-round-or-better tackle prospect.

Best Fit

A gap/power-leaning run scheme that lets him fire off and finish while a strong O-line development staff cleans up his hand technique and leverage. SMU's pro-style, downhill-capable offense is a sound landing spot. He fits any program willing to invest a redshirt year in turning elite length and mass into refined technique at right tackle, with the patience to let his anchor and functional movement mature before throwing him into a starting role.