Kiyaunta Goodwin has been elevated to five-star status and remains a UK commit. (Twitter Photo)
Recently proclaimed five-star offensive lineman Kiyaunta Goodwin of Charlestown, Indiana, will take an official visit to Alabama this weekend. However, that doesn’t mean the 6-7, 300-pound Goodwin has bailed out on the commitment to Kentucky he made in April.
“The whole thing with Alabama is to make sure he is doing his due diligence and making sure he fits the right fit for him and the four-year decision he’s making,” said Chris Vaughn, Goodwin’s trainer at Aspiration Fitness in Louisville. “He needs to make he explores all possibilities and keeps open all his options.”
Kentucky knows what Goodwin is doing. Vaughn said recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow encouraged Goodwin to visit Alabama and also Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan if that’s what he wants to do.
“Coach Marrow has not put any pressure on him. It’s not like he’s doing this behind their backs,” Vaughn said Thursday night. “Ultimately he has to pick what is best for him on signing day (in December).”
Vaughn says Kentucky has “taken another step” with the program this year to justify Goodwin’s belief in the Cats.
“Coach (Mark) Stoops and coach Marrow have elevated that program and are bringing in top talent. It’s a program obviously on the rise,” Vaughn said. “If anything this season has been more of a clear indication the UK program is going in the right direction.”
Goodwin, 17, has been at every UK home game this season. Vaughn says being elevated to a five-star player and one of the nation’s top 20 players won’t impact Goodwin’s work ethic.
“Being a five-star is a great accomplishment,” Vaughn said. “I think he has played well this season. He has made a big jump in terms of technique. He has got a lot stronger and it shows. His athletic ability and size make it easy for him to impose his will in high school but he definitely has got a lot better overall.”
One Response
I am sure hoping he stays committed, and signs with UK, but these visits he has scheduled is not good news to me.