Goodman decides to walk-on at USC

Unfortunately, every year, there are players in the JC ranks that go unnoticed or unacknowledged by four-year programs because of an injury. Saddleback’s Adam Goodman (6-3, 240) suffered an ACL tear in the second game of the 2006 season, but he’s worked his way back to full-health and he recently decided to walk-on at one of the top programs in the country.

“I’ve decided to walk-on at USC and I’m really excited,” Goodman told JCFootball.com recently. “I grew up down here in southern California and it’s always been my goal to earn a division one scholarship. Since that didn’t happen, USC was the best place for me to walk-on and try to get some playing time.”

Even though he played tight end/H-back for Saddleback, Goodman is set to play fullback for the Trojans and he said that’s fine with him.

“I liked playing tight end a lot, but they only have two fullbacks on the roster and they are losing them after this year so I have a real chance to get some playing time,” Goodman said. “I’m excited to get out there and start working out. I went to a lot of their spring meetings and sat through them so I’ve kind of already gotten a head start on learning the offense and how things work.

“All of the coaches and the people I’ve met have been great and I think this is really the best move for me. Like I said, I’m really excited about this opportunity.”

Goodman said a few schools told him if he returned to Saddleback and showed he had gotten back to 100-percent that they would recruit him, but he said he thought his best choice was to move on and start his career as at USC.

“I thought about it, but it really was better to move on,” Goodman said. “In junior college, the players are sort of all out for themselves and their playing time and I didn’t want to get injured again and basically screw up any chance of getting on with another program.

“Plus, I’m too far ahead in school and I needed to get to a university and keep going on with that as well.”

In addition to walk-on offer from the Trojans, Oregon and Cal were the two schools trying to get Goodman to walk on, but the luster and prestige of USC was just too much to pass up.

“As far as location, academics and football are concerned, SC is the school that I had to choose,” Goodman said. “They were the best fit for me all the way around. I’m so glad I have the chance to be a Trojan.”

Because of his injury, Goodman received a “medical” redshirt so he’ll have three years to play three when he starts practicing with his new teammates in August.

Adam Goodman Scout Profile