Miami's Tavares Gooden has improved his draft stock

CORAL GABLES - The feeling at the University of Miami's Pro Timing Day was almost glum in February.

An event that attracted dozens of NFL coaches and scouts in the past was nearly empty.

Standouts Calais Campbell and Kenny Phillips spent most of the interview time answering questions as to whether their draft stock has fallen.

And then along came linebacker Tavares Gooden to perk up this frown of a day.

Gooden, who was all smiles that afternoon, has been the only Hurricanes player to actually improve his positioning in the draft. No talk of slipping into the next round. No talking heads calling him overrated. A solid showing in pre-draft workouts has helped Gooden elevate his status from a late-round pick to possibly being selected among the first three rounds on Saturday.

"I don't think I've started to peak yet," Gooden said. "I can't wait to show my skills at the next level."

Gooden, who played at St. Thomas Aquinas, is coming off a senior season where he led the team with 119 tackles. He was named the Hurricanes' defensive Most Valuable Player despite moving to middle linebacker during the preseason. Gooden had played on the outside most of his career, but made the switch because of injuries on the team.

"I don't think the real me has came out yet," Gooden said. "I've played so many different positions here and I wouldn't call it a bad thing. I think that's been a great thing for me."

After an average performance at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Gooden improved his appeal with solid times in the 40-yard dash (4.5) and vertical leap (39.5) at the UM Pro Timing Day. His vertical was better than what anyone tested in Indianapolis. He said his statistics slipped at the NFL Combine because of injuries, but he is now healthy.

Gooden was hampered late in the season with a groin injury and missed the Senior Bowl because of hip problems.

"I think it's going to come down to me going to my different scouting days and going out there and showing them how well I can move," Gooden said. "I know I had a couple injuries, but I think I tested well with those injuries."

Gooden is projected to play outside linebacker in the NFL, where ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks him as the No. 2 prospect. Most mock drafts have Gooden chosen in the third round. He is predicted as being taken by Atlanta with the 68th pick, according to www.nfldraftcountdown.com.

Rob Rang, a senior analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, said Gooden could be "one of the steals of the draft."

"With Gooden, you just wonder if he's for real," Rang said. "Is he the guy that dominated in the middle or is he a guy just playing hard now that he's a senior and there's a paycheck involved? But I'm very high on him. He was absolutely Miami's best player."

Gooden also says he has tradition on his side. The Hurricanes have produced great NFL linebackers, including Ray Lewis, Jonathan Vilma, D.J. Williams and Dan Morgan. He says he's spent the last few weeks receiving advice from each, hoping their words can lead him to a successful professional career.

"Everybody helps out," Gooden said. "Jonathan Vilma, he comes back. I played weakside my first year and D.J. Williams was there. Even guys who are not even here. I talk to Twan Russell, Dan Morgan all the time. All those guys come back and they give me feedback and they let me know what am I doing wrong or right.

"Also, they're telling me even though I'm doing good, to keep pushing it."

(sun-sentinlel.com)