On3 Consensus four-star Larry Turner-Gooden details why he chose Texas
2022 Playa Del Rey (Calif.) Bishop Alemany safety Larry Turner-Gooden made his decision during the early signing period, sending in his signed letter of intent to the Texas Longhorns. But he kept his decision close to the vest and elected not to publicly reveal his choice until he could on NBC at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio.
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It was the culmination of two dreams: the first signing with a Division I school to play college football and, the second to do it with his loved ones around him in the Alamodome. Though he was unable to play in the game due to injury, the moment is one he wanted to be in the Alamo City for a long time.
“It was crazy,” Turner-Gooden said following the All-American Bowl on Saturday. “It was like a dream. It was a dream come true, and I was able to do it here with all my family members being here. I grew up watching the All-American Game, so I had this planned ever since I started playing football.”
Following halftime, the one-time Arizona State commit took his spot behind the NBC Sports desk with Penn State, Colorado, Maryland, Texas, and USC hats in front of him. He picked up the burnt orange hat, and his family celebrated behind him.
Though he fought through tears to announce signing with Texas, it was a decision he he was sure of when he reached for the Texas hat.
“You put everything together, and me and my family sat down, it was just the place to be,” Turner-Gooden said. “It was the right decision for me.”
Earlier in the week, the No. 245 player in the On3 Consensus and 27th signee in the Longhorns’ 2022 class spoke with On3. He offered additional background behind his choice.
Turner-Gooden visited the Longhorns for their Oct. 16 loss to Oklahoma State. Though Texas fell short, Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium made an impression on the California safety.
“I’m looking to go crazy in that atmosphere, too,” he told On3.
Turner-Gooden mentioned he will likely begin his career at free safety, meaning he is under the guidance of safeties coach and former Longhorn Blake Gideon. When asked about his future position coach, Turner-Gooden mentioned he sees a bright future playing for someone who blazed the trail he’d like to follow.
“He’s a great dude,” Turner-Gooden said. “You learn from him. He was the best at what he did. He’s an alum. He can get me to where I need to get to. He’s going to work me until I get to where he was.”
Turner-Gooden intends to enroll early along with fellow defensive back signees Bryan Allen Jr., Jaylon Guilbeau, X’Avion Brice, Austin Jordan and Terrance Brooks.
It took several weeks for him to be able to announce his choice. It’s one, as his emotions should show, he was excited to make.
