4-star LB Kenneth Goodwin III down to five schools with commitment date set

Torrance (Calif.) Bishop Montgomery four-star linebacker Kenneth Goodwin III is entering the home stretch of his recruitment.

On Saturday, the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder told On3’s Hayes Fawcett that he will announce his commitment on July 1. He will choose between Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, SMU and Texas A&M.

Goodwin III is the No. 358 overall prospect and No. 28 LB in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 32 player in California.

The touted linebacker has taken plenty of visits this spring and will now reveal his decision in less than six weeks. Earlier this month he logged an official visit to SMU. Oregon had him back in Eugene last month to see the Ducks’ spring game.

“I’m feeling great with the connection I have with the Oregon staff,” Goodwin told Scoop Duck after the trip. “Coach (Dan) Lanning, Coach Lupoi they have a great background with Coach Lanning being the defensive coordinator at Georgia when they won the championship,” the linebacker said. “So I can say they know how to utilize me and utilize my position. So I can say that’s good.”

Goodwin also visited Michigan for the second time last month and is set to return to Ann Arbor for an OV on the weekend of June 13. The Wolverines remain a top contender for the blue-chipper.

“Michigan is in my Top 3 right now,” Goodwin told The Wolverine after his latest trip. “I really like how they coach my position and the scheme. Their scheme has been used in the NFL a lot. I know that it would translate to the NFL Draft.”

After visiting Georgia in March, Goodwin told DawgsHQ that the SEC juggernaut was his top school. Head coach Kirby Smart, LBs coach Glenn Schumann and the UGA staff continue to make serious strides in Goodwin’s process.

“It was very intense but disciplined,” Goodwin said about his time at Georgia practice. “Their communication and how loud they yell out the calls stood out.”

With top contenders cemented, Goodwin will continue to take visits and work towards a decision. He’ll be one of a slew of a blue-chippers to announce a commitment during the first week of July. Arizona State, Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio State and Notre Dame are among the programs that did not transition from his top 12 to his final five.