IUFB Pro Day Primer: Defensive End Greg Gooch
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Greg Gooch is looking to turn heads at IU Pro Day Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
Written By Evan McShane (@veryreasonable)
Greg Gooch earned himself a laundry list of scholarship offers thanks to his stellar play as an inside and outside linebacker. Ultimately, the Longwood, Florida linebacker chose the Hoosiers. Standing 6-foot-3, 240-pounds as a three-star recruit, Gooch would prove to be one of many pieces the Indiana defense needed. He was named to the All-Area team as a senior at Lyman High School. Gooch’s size and speed had him ranked as the 30th best inside linebacker of the 2014 recruiting class. He was ready to make an immediate impact for the Hoosiers.
The big bodied freshman proved he was ready for Big Ten football by playing in all 12 games. He collected 11 tackles, and most importantly, Gooch showed promise. As a true freshman, Gooch got his first career interception against Penn State. He was named Indiana’s defensive player of the week after that performance.
The durable linebacker played in all 12 games again as a sophomore. He finished the season with 12 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. His first career sack and forced fumble came against Indiana’s Old Oaken Bucket victory. Gooch made plays in big moments throughout his entire Hoosier career. Like everyone else on the Indiana defense, Gooch would benefit greatly from the addition of Tom Allen as defensive coordinator.
Allen made the decision to move Gooch from inside linebacker to defensive end in 2016. The results spoke for themselves. During his junior season, Gooch racked up 26 tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble. His speed allowed him to beat the edge and make plays in the backfield. Gooch finished the year with 5.5 tackles for a loss. Again, he made big plays in the biggest of games. His one sack came against another victory over Purdue. He forced a fumble in the Foster Farms Bowl. Gooch’s combination of size and speed made for a seamless transition to defensive end. He looked like a natural.
With a year under his belt on the defensive line, Gooch was ready to breakthrough as a senior. He demonstrated an innate ability to get to the quarterback. Gooch finished 2017 3rd on the team with 4.5 sacks. He had 26 total tackles and 6.5 tackles for a loss. Always hawking the ball, Gooch forced two fumbles – good enough for 7th in the Big Ten. He was named IU defensive player of the game against Rutgers. Gooch was a team captain in every single game.
Gooch will get to show NFL scouts what he can do with his size and speed at IU’s Pro Day. The switch from linebacker to defensive end may prove to be Gooch’s ticket to a professional football career. Although he’s not currently projected to be drafted, Greg Gooch will have ample opportunity to make an NFL roster or practice squad this summer. The league is always starved for edge rushers, and Gooch could find himself a niche somewhere.
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