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People Worried about Bernard Gooden's size

Posted on 8/15/25 at 11:51 am
Posted by king47
Member since Aug 2020
1881 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 11:51 am
Is he any smaller than Mekhi Wingo? I remember everyone talking about him being undersized but he was obviously very productive at the dline. He shows its possible for success as an undersized dlineman in the sec.
Posted by MasterAbe1
Member since Oct 2016
6347 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 11:52 am to
Yes, Wingo probably had 15-20 pounds on Gooden. However, Gooden is quicker
Posted by DRock88
Member since Aug 2015
10236 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 11:53 am to
Several pounds lighter than Mekhi. But I'm not worried. Gooden seems to be super quick and twitchy.
Posted by LSU1SLU
Member since Mar 2013
7861 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 11:57 am to
If he was our everyday starter like the year we had lacatoure and the other guy as our only DTs to basically play.

He will be rotational, spot duty, and certain packages. It will be successful because we are scheming to get him plays, not teams scheming bc he is small and plays alot.
Posted by MasterAbe1
Member since Oct 2016
6347 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:00 pm to
quote:

rotational, spot duty, and certain packages.


Disagreed. He’s gonna start, and play a lot. Just keep a big DT out there next to him, they can’t double team both Gooden and Dom/Guillory. I’d be willing to bet Breaux is the one who rotates in at Goodens spot as they’re both lighter and quicker
Posted by bayou85
Concordia
Member since Sep 2016
10629 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:00 pm to
Gooden is exactly what our DL coach wants. We are also pretty diverse at interior DL with Guillory, Breaux and McKinley. Not to mention those Frosh boys. I just noticed 2 of those freshmen are 350+lbs
Posted by LSBoosie
Member since Jun 2020
16403 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:04 pm to
Yes. People were worried about Wingo being undersized and he was listed at 295. Gooden is listed at 268.
Posted by thunderbird1100
GSU Eagles fan
Member since Oct 2007
71482 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:09 pm to
quote:

He will be rotational, spot duty, and certain packages. It will be successful because we are scheming to get him plays, not teams scheming bc he is small and plays alot.



He is a starter and dominated all fall camp. Our DL rotation will be better than it was previous so its not like he will need to play 50-60 snaps a game or something, but he is one of our best DTs along with McKinley this camp so he will play a ton.

Gooden played all last season around this weight and was a pretty dominant figure at USF. Shouldnt worry too much, he played well vs. Alabama as well.
This post was edited on 8/15/25 at 12:10 pm
Posted by Lester Earl
3rd Ward
Member since Nov 2003
287657 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:13 pm to
Wingo was 6’0” 284 at the combine.

284 is a 6th percentile weight for a DT.

268 is a 0 percentile weight for a DT.
Posted by Sissidog02
Member since Jan 2020
6661 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:16 pm to
Aaron Donald 6’1” 280lb 9time All-Pro
DPOY- 2 time, considered one of the greatest DL in the history of the NFL
Melvin Ingram- multiple All-Pro
6’1” 259lb
Geno Atkins , V Woolfork, Poona Ford
All under 6’2” some are heavier but this was their NFL weight, All made All-Pro at least once.
Hell we’re not stating a case that Gooden is a Pro-Bowler, but he has SO far the potential to be a helluva “gooden” for LSU & the SEC. There will be plays where he’ll surely be blown up, but there are going to be plays he blows up and makes you say damn how’d he do that. Can’t wait
This post was edited on 8/15/25 at 12:18 pm
Posted by moneyg
Member since Jun 2006
61599 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:17 pm to
quote:

People were worried about Wingo being undersized and he was listed at 295


Wingo wasn’t accused of being undersized that I can recall. And 295 isn’t even a slight concern unless your role is to be a two gap run stopper.

But 270 is small. If Gooden can be effective on all downs he will be an outlier. It’s not common.
Posted by JimTiger72
Member since Jun 2023
15400 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:17 pm to
Posted by KamaCausey_LSU
Member since Apr 2013
16969 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:19 pm to
Not worried, technique and speed beats raw size; and he's not a NT.

He's probably closer to 280 anyways. I'm surprised more people aren't worried about his height at 6'1".
This post was edited on 8/15/25 at 12:58 pm
Posted by Lester Earl
3rd Ward
Member since Nov 2003
287657 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:21 pm to
quote:

Melvin Ingram- multiple All-Pro 6’1” 259lb


Lol wut
Posted by misey94
Member since Jan 2007
32376 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:24 pm to
Gooden is very experienced and has proven he can play against P5 competition and not just hold up, but make an impact as a DT. He’s definitely different, but sometimes that can make a player more dangerous and difficult to prepare for.

As long as we keep enough size around Gooden, he should be fine without being a liability. I could see him coming off the field for short yardage and goal line sets, but if he can get pressure up the middle using his quickness while still being solid vs the run (which he has been throughout his career), he’s going to play a lot of snaps for us.

A big positive is that we have a lot of depth at DT now. If he’s having trouble with a particular matchup, we can go bigger without a drop off in talent level. That makes this kind of a moot point.
Posted by mpwilging
Punta Gorda Isles, Florida
Member since Jan 2011
9442 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:25 pm to
Rats arse whether he's the right size or not.

Let's revisit this Gooden thing after 2-3 games.

Guy is going to wreck shite imo.
Posted by Raging Tiger
Teedy Town
Member since Jun 2023
1099 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:34 pm to
I am worried about Thompson who can’t seem to block him. He’s definitely getting a longer leash than most at the starting position. Gooden is making light work.
Posted by MikeTheTiger71
Member since Dec 2021
4080 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:53 pm to
He isn’t pushing for a starting spot in the rotation because LSU lacks for quality options. I’d be concerned if he was starting because LSU had no other choice. He’s starting because the coaching staff sees something in him that they can’t ignore. He’s outplaying the bigger players despite his size. That’s a good thing. If down the line his size proves to be a detriment, they have other guys ready to pick up the slack.
Posted by Lakeboy7
New Orleans
Member since Jul 2011
27896 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:54 pm to
RB size: I worry

Bernard Gooden size: not worried

Posted by Sun God
Member since Jul 2009
49479 posts
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:58 pm to
Gooden next to McKinley is gonna be unfair
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