Five-star lineman Kiyaunta Goodwin willing to work and learn to become a better player

Freshman tackle Kiyaunta Goodwin is a “big son of a gun” who quickly impressed teammates and UK coaches during spring practice. (Photo by UK Athletics)

He’s the highest ranked player that coach Mark Stoops has brought to Kentucky and picked the Wildcats over Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State from the 60 scholarship offers he had.

Offensive lineman Kiyaunta Goodwin was ranked as the No. 5 offensive tackle and No. 30 player based on ratings of multiple recruiting services. The 6-8, 355-pound Goodwin enrolled at UK in January and made a “big” impression on coaches and teammates during spring practice.

“He is going to be a really good football player and is a really nice guy who is eager to learn,” said center Eli Cox. “We are trying to make that transition easy for him. He has had to learn how to grind with (academic) tutors, practice and just being on campus.”

“He just loves to sit up in the film room all the time, just kind of learning the game as best he can. He’s going to turn out really well.”

New offensive line coach Zach Yenser calls him a “big son of a gun” who has done well in his short time at UK.

“When he knows what he’s doing, and he’s right about 95 percent of the time now, he’s very, very talented,” Yenser said. “Every day he’s on the field, he picks up a bit more and that’s really encouraging from a young guy.”

Goodwin more than held his own during spring practice to impress coaches and teammates. He was a solid second team tackle who has a chance to be in the playing rotation next season. The freshman even said during his first media interview near the end of spring practice that he wanted to see JJ Weaver, one of UK’s best pass rushers, lined up against him as often as possible.

“I love to compete. I feel like it brings out the best out of me,” Goodwin said. “When I’m being challenged, that’s when I’m at my best.”

Weaver said Goodwin is with strength coach Corey Edmond daily and is always one of the first players in the weight room.

“He’s a dog. He’s working on losing the weight he needs to. I’m proud of him,” Weaver said.

Goodwin knows Yenser worked with nine-time Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams of the San Francisco 49ers before coming to Kentucky. Offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello was also with the 49ers last season. Goodwin understands the opportunity he has being coached by those who worked with Williams, a former All-American at Oklahoma.

“Trent Williams is my favorite offensive tackle in the league, so having two guys that worked with him, I’m able to ask a lot of questions about the stuff that makes him as great as he is,” Goodwin said. “I’ve obviously watched a lot of his film and stuff, trying to bring his game into mine. Having two guys that worked with him over the last couple of years is amazing.”

Goodwin has talked to Williams several times trying to learn all he can from him.

“His independent hands and his down block are some of the things I’ve brought into my game,” Goodwin said.

Senior guard Kenneth Horsey likes what he has seen of Goodwin’s game.

“He’s very passionate. He’s willing to put in the work. He’s very coachable. He’s ready to listen to anything. If we have any positive criticisms or anything like that, and even if we have to dump on him at times, he’s very accepting of that because he knows he’s not a finished product,” Horsey said.

“He knows at the end of the day, high school is just the beginning. There’s always room for progression, there’s always room to grow and he understands that. He’s ready to put in that work and I love to see him work because he’s working on himself every day.”

Goodwin said just being at UK has been amazing for him.

“Just to get around the guys, to practice, to be in the facilities all the time — I’m used to seeing it, but being here every day and actually being able to take it in and enjoy it as a player is amazing,” Goodwin said.

He understood college football would have a faster pace and harder practices, but that was fine with him.

“I was just ready to get here and help the team any way I can. I didn’t have a certain mindset other than just to help,” he said.