Tavares Gooden was the 71st-overall selection (3rd round) in the 2008 NFL Draft
“Anytime you get a player from the Miami Hurricanes, you know you’re getting someone who loves the game, who runs to the football and who knows and understands how to play the game,” said Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome. “It gives us depth, but it helps us on special teams right away.”
Tavares Gooden was selected by the Ravens in the 3rd round (71st overall) of the 2008 NFL draft
In 49 games at Miami, Gooden started 9 contests at weak-side LB, 5 on the strong-side and 11 at MLB (25 total)
He recorded 216 tackles (118 solo) with 1 sack, 11 TFL (-24 yards) and 8 QB pressures
He had 1 FF and 3 FRs for a total of 19 yards in returns
He added 9 PD and gained 35 yards on his only INT return
Graduated from Miami in May 2007 with a double major in Liberal Arts and Criminology
2007: Gooden shifted to MLB, starting all 12 while leading the team with a career-high 100 tackles (60 solo), including 3 TFL (-6 yards)
Recovered 3 fumbles, advancing 1 19 yards
Deflected 3 passes and returned an INT 35 yards
Led a unit that allowed 345.9 yards in total offense and 133.8 rushing yards per game
Had at least 10 tackles in 4 games
Tallied a career-high 14 tackles (7 solo) and 1 PD vs. Oklahoma
Posted another career-high 14 tackles (12 solo), 1 TFL and 1 FR against Duke
Helped hold the Blue Devils to 61 rushing yards on 37 carries (1.6 avg.)
2006: Played in 11 games, starting at strong-side LB vs. Florida State, Duke, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech
Was actually slated as a starter in the other 7 games in which he played, but Miami opened those contests with an extra DB in their nickel package
Finished with 36 tackles (23 solo) and 2.5 TFL (-5 yards) on the season
Added 3 QB pressures and 3 PD
2005: Received a medical redshirt (shoulder).
2004: Played in 12 games, starting the 1st 9 at weak-side OLB, before coming off the bench in the final 3 contests vs. Virginia, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech due to a left shoulder sprain suffered in the Clemson clash
Totaled 68 tackles (28 solo), 1 sack (-3 yards), 5.5 TFL (-13 yards), 5 QB pressures and 3 PD on the year
Made his 1st-career start in the season opener vs. Florida State and recorded 5 tackles
Started at Houston and registered 12 tackles, as well as 3 TFL and 1 PD
Scored 1 TD on a punt blocked in a 38-13 victory
Posted a season-high 13 tackles vs. North Carolina
2003: Played in all 13 games behind D.J. Williams at weak-side LB, seeing most of his action on special teams
Finished with 10 tackles (6 solo), including a season-high 4 tackles against Temple
Attended St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) HS
Regarded as one of Florida’s top players as a junior and senior
Two-time Class 4A All-State selection, adding 1st-team All-Broward County honors at DE in 2002
As a senior, Gooden registered 87 tackles, 12.5 sacks and 3 FFs
Added 26 tackles with 4 sacks and 8 TFL as a LB
Also saw action as a FB during his junior campaign
Also excelling in track, he was the 2002 state champion in the discus at 181’0” (personal best was 197 feet) and added personal bests of 20’1” in the long jump and 6’8” in the high jump
