Meet the Rookies: Kiyaunta Goodwin Can Finally Hit Opponents

For his entire life, Kiyaunta Goodwin has been the biggest kid in the room. It’s impossible not to marvel at the size and athleticism of the modern day Goliath. That size is beneficial on the football field, but it comes with unintended consequences.

Riding on an airplane cannot be comfortable. I’m sure shoe-shopping has never been easy before the first day of school. While it has its benefits on the football field, likely leading Goodwin to early playing time as a true freshman in the SEC, to this point in his career it has brought on more bad than good.

Nobody wants to be the guy that ends up on a five-star prospect’s highlight reel. During his last two seasons of high school football at Charlestown (In.), opposing players have either dove at his knees or gotten out of the way. While some might have anxiety about making the jump from high school football to the SEC, Kiyaunta Goodwin welcomes it with open arms.

“In SEC football they’re actually going to hit you. High school football they fall on the ground, jump on the ground, try to bite your ankles,” he laughed. “It’s a big difference.”

Kiyaunta Goodwin enrolled early to participate in spring practice. In the short amount of time the former top 100 recruit has been in Lexington, he’s never had more fun playing the game of football.

“It’s so amazing. It’s so enjoyable to actually know he’s going to be where he’s at; in three steps he’s going to be here and we’re going to hit and I don’t have to worry about dudes falling to the ground. It’s wonderful. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had at practice or anything like that.”

He added, “I don’t think I’ve ever actually been able to hit anybody in practice until I got to college. It’s very enjoyable.”

Goodwin has not been able to participate in every practice through the first week for the Wildcats, but he’s been involved in some battles in the trenches. Defensive linemen love locking up with Goodwin to test their strength against the big offensive tackle. There’s a competition brewing at left tackle. Deondre Buford is expected to take the first reps on the Big Blue Wall, but Goodwin is working hard to see the field this fall as a true freshman.

“Obviously there’s a competitiveness there,” said Kiyaunta Goodwin. “I’m looking to do whatever I can do to help the team the best as possible.”

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Previous Editions of Meet the Rookies: Barion Brown, Alex Afari, Jordan Anthony, Kobi Albert