5-star offensive tackle Kiyaunta Goodwin signs with Kentucky
Kiyaunta Goodwin is a Wildcat — signed, sealed and delivered.
The Charlestown (Ind.) offensive tackle and Kentucky commit signed Thursday afternoon, making their highest-rated pledge in recent memory an official member of the 2022 class.
Goodwin was set to sign Wednesday morning, but announced that he wasn’t ready to make his college decision between Michigan State and Kentucky.
Just a few hours later, it appeared he had reversed course. Goodwin told 247Sports that he planned to decide at 3:30 p.m. ET between the Spartans and Wildcats. He again postponed until 5:00 p.m.
After all the fuss, Goodwin announced Wednesday night that he was sticking with the Wildcats, whom he committed to back in April. But late last night, sources told On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons that Goodwin had yet to sign his National Letter of Intent more than five hours after his announcement.
“I think Michigan State is still a factor here,” Simmons said. “Until players are signed, nothing is official.”
And the Spartans didn’t go down without a fight. Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker worked ferociously to flip Goodwin, but ultimately couldn’t snatch him away from Kentucky.
“The long standing relationship he has with Coach Marrow and Coach Stoops won out in the end,” Goodwin’s trainer Chris Vaughn told On3.
Goodwin had an extremely tough decision process
Goodwin is the No. 19 prospect in the 2022 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 2 offensive tackle and the No. 1 prospect in Indiana.
The 6-foot-8, 325-pounder also considered Texas A&M, Michigan and others before ultimately narrowing down to two schools.
“I know I have a lot to go over and a lot to think about, but I am ready,” Goodwin told Simmons earlier this week. “All the schools are great, the coaches have been great, so now is it time to figure out what is best for me.”
Goodwin has been transparent throughout his process about visiting other schools, and the Wildcats allowed him to do so despite his commitment.
“They have been great,” Kiyaunta Goodwin told Simmons. “All the coaches are great people, I have some really good relationships with the coaches at Kentucky, and it feels like home when I am there.”
Tucker and Co. made it interesting, but ultimately Goodwin stood by those final words and is headed to Lexington after all.
Kiyaunta Goodwin Scouting Summary
“An absolutely huge offensive tackle with the biggest frame of any top prospect in the 2022 cycle. Underwent one of the more drastic physical transformations we’ve seen, losing over 100 pounds and reshaping his body prior to his junior season. Already bigger than most NFL tackles at a legitimate 6-foot-8, 325 pounds. Has high-end length with 35-inch arms. Has well above average athleticism and strength for the position, let alone at his size. Does not play top competition, but is a dominant player, manhandling much smaller defenders. Has also performed well against college prospects in showcase camps, flashing some polish in his pass set. While he has made great strides, will need to continue improving his lower body flexibility.”
— On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power