Baltimore selects UM's Tavares Gooden in 3rd round

For University of Miami linebacker Tavares Gooden, the pick came a day late. Still, the feeling was the same. After not being selected in the first two rounds, he was chosen Sunday by the Baltimore Ravens at No. 71 in the third round. "It's cool," said Gooden, who played at St. Thomas Aquinas. "This is what I expected. I had potential to be taken on the first day, but my range was (No.) 45 to 88. I'm just happy to get picked."
Gooden had a gathering of family and friends on Saturday hoping to be taken in the second round. The party grew quiet when the Ravens were set to pick at No. 55. The family began talking of the possibilities of Gooden being mentored in Baltimore by former UM standout Ray Lewis. But the Ravens selected Rutgers running back Ray Rice, and Gooden fell out of the second round. Baltimore couldn't refuse to pass on him again. "Yesterday was yesterday," Gooden said. "It doesn't matter now. This is a celebration for what's going to happen." The pick also allows Gooden to join former UM players Ed Reed and Willis McGahee. Gooden is coming off a season senior where he improved his draft stock. He led the Hurricanes with a career-high 119 tackles and one interception. He credited his improvement to moving from outside to inside linebacker. "I think that helped me out a lot and I thank (linebackers coach) Michael Barrow for doing it," Gooden said. "I'm just glad I'm able to play at the next level."