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Bernard Gooden, a 6-1, 280 lb defensive tackle from Montgomery, Alabama, has officially signed with Wake Forest. Gooden is rated as a 3-star prospect by 247Sports and is listed as the 76th best DT in the 2021 class. Gooden chose Wake Forest over offers from Georgia State, Louisiana, Memphis, Missouri, South Alabama, Southern Missouri, Texas A&M, and Troy.
Pray for the child who can hold his own#Go deacs @1KFROSTY @CoachClawson pic.twitter.com/jbRUg0uX7i
— BERNARD F. GOODENIII❌ (@big_time321) July 4, 2020
In his junior season at Park Crossing High School, Gooden recorded 75 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles in 13 games. While he played defensive tackle for the Thunderbirds, Les Johns stated after Gooden’s initial commitment that the defensive staff plans on using him at the defensive end position. You can check out some of his recent highlights below.
It is obviously never a bad thing to have size and athleticism on the defensive line, and Gooden appears to bring a very complementary combination of both. Welcome to Wake Forest Bernard, and Go Deacs!