Committing to a college football program is a tough decision, but decommitting could be tougher. Three-star rated linebacker Phillip Goodrich from St. Thomas Aquinas High School decommitted from Navy on August 28th after committing in the spring.
“My recruitment is open,” Goodrich said. “I’m scouting my options. I’m gaining interest from other colleges. I’m hoping to build my relationships as I progress through my recruiting process.
“Honestly, I committed early in my recruiting process, and with them being an academy, they don’t like it when other colleges show interest, and you show interest back. Once other colleges started reaching out and showing interest, I wanted to explore my options, and that didn’t sit well with them.”
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Goodrich was one of many who visited Miami for its season-opening win over Notre Dame.
“I got some messages from one of the recruiting staff members,” Goodrich said about how he was invited to attend the Miami game. “I had planned to go with a bunch of teammates, actually, so it was really a collaborative thing. We all went together.”
Colorado is in the planning stages of hosting an official visit for Goodrich, while Air Force, Army, James Madison, Toledo, and UConn all remain active in his recruitment. He has no intentions of visiting Navy.
“My all,” Goodrich said of what a college program should expect from him. “Quick learner, fast-adjuster, and a playmaker.”
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Goodrich’s recruitment increased rapidly after St. Thomas Aquinas nearly pulled off the upset to defeat defending national champions Mater Dei. The six-foot, 210-pound linebacker had nine total tackles (six solo), one sack, and a tackle for loss in the game. Goodrich credits the St. Thomas staff for his development.
“They are teaching me the fundamentals of reads, first step, read step, they are giving the foundations to be a great linebacker.”
Goodrich will also play running back this season, and played the position as a youth football player and during his freshman season.
“They want to utilize me as a running back, so I’ll be playing both ways,” Goodrich said. “I’m really excited, actually. I’ve always enjoyed having the ball in my hands.”
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Goodrich could be in the backfield with the football as soon as this week versus Western.
