"The 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive lineman knew coming into the visit he was likely to commit and told Volquest.com earlier in the week why the Vols would be the choice this weekend.
"I like that it's far off and not too close to home," Gooden said. "Its fans are wild and I like the big stadium and there's nothing better than playing in your home state and I want to play in my home state."
Gooden, who also recently picked up a Penn State offer, said he has also grown close quickly with defensive line coach Steve Stripling as well as Tennessee defensive coordinator John Jancek and said he likes the idea of playing under the veteran coaches.
My relationship with them has played a great role," Gooden said. "They not only tell me the good things I do but they also tell me things I need to work on. I like a coach who is up front and tells me more than just they like me and all that, they tell me what I need to work on, basically."
-VQ