Football Recruiting - West Region: Tahaan Goodman
Good news keeps rolling in for a UCLA coaching staff that has been on a recruiting tear of late.
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RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. -- After originally planning to announce his commitment on signing day, Tahaan Goodman (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga) decided he couldn’t wait any longer. The nation’s No. 108 overall recruit and No. 9 safety knew he’d made up his mind, so after school on Wednesday, he announced publicly his decision to commit to UCLA.
The 6-foot-2, 184-pound safety finished his senior season with 59 tackles, two interceptions, one sack and nine rushing touchdowns. He is the No. 11 overall player in California and the state’s No. 2 safety.
With Goodman in the fold, the Bruins =hold verbal commitments from six ESPN 300 prospects, including two in the ESPN 150.
Good friend and fellow four-star safety Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza) is expected to announce his decision at 7 p.m. MT on Wednesday. The two have long said they will be a package deal, so more good news could be on the way for the Bruins.
SoCal standouts honored off the field 
January, 21, 2013
Jan 21
4:15
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By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
On Sunday evening, the inaugural Unsung Heroes Awards recognized several outstanding Southern California student-athletes.
Honorees were chosen for their combination of success in the classroom, in the community and on the football field. Grade point average, community service, letters of recommendation and personal statements all factored into the process of selecting the nominees. They were celebrated by the Inner City Youth Foundation at Sunday night's event, An Evening of Champions.
Honorees were chosen for their combination of success in the classroom, in the community and on the football field. Grade point average, community service, letters of recommendation and personal statements all factored into the process of selecting the nominees. They were celebrated by the Inner City Youth Foundation at Sunday night's event, An Evening of Champions.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- ESPN 150 safety Tahaan Goodman (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) was scheduled to visit LSU over the weekend, but a conflict in the schedule forced him to postpone it.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- Tahaan Goodman doesn't need to flee his hometown to find a warm weather spot to play college football.
And there's no need to relocate from home to find a highly-competitive BCS conference.
So why is Goodman, the ESPN 150 safety from Racho Cucamonga, Calif., visiting LSU this weekend and seriously considering making the Tigers his future team?
And there's no need to relocate from home to find a highly-competitive BCS conference.
So why is Goodman, the ESPN 150 safety from Racho Cucamonga, Calif., visiting LSU this weekend and seriously considering making the Tigers his future team?
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Visits don't sway USC commit Hawkins
December, 21, 2012
12/21/12
6:17
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By
Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
The top cornerback at the 2012 Cal-State Game in Visalia, Calif., has been as advertised during the South team's practices this week.
ESPN 150 CB Chris Hawkins (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga) has been a USC commit since April, but that hasn't stopped him from taking other visits and talking to other schools.
While there have been visits taken and rumors floating around for months, the No. 11 CB in the nation is still solid with the Trojans. Previous visits to Cal, Notre Dame and Washington did nothing to dissuade Hawkins from sticking with his dream school.
ESPN 150 CB Chris Hawkins (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga) has been a USC commit since April, but that hasn't stopped him from taking other visits and talking to other schools.
While there have been visits taken and rumors floating around for months, the No. 11 CB in the nation is still solid with the Trojans. Previous visits to Cal, Notre Dame and Washington did nothing to dissuade Hawkins from sticking with his dream school.
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It was a big weekend for UCLA on the field and on the recruiting trail.
The Bruins earned a big win over the USC Trojans on Saturday, and collected two verbal commitments over the weekend as well. The 2013 class added another terrific athlete in Darren Andrews (La Puente, Calif./Bishop Amat) who decommitted from Duke before giving his pledge to the UCLA staff. And the 2014 class saw its first member, with the commitment of wide receiver Jeff Farrar (Upland, Calif./Upland). Things could have hardly gone better for the Bruins, as they made a strong impression on many uncommitted ESPN 300 standouts, including safety Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza), safety Tahaan Goodman (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga), cornerback Johnny Johnson (Fresno, Calif./Central) and defensive end Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland). Goodman and his mother met at length with the UCLA coaches on Sunday, and the Bruins will have a chance to close very strong with the defensive backfield in this class.
The Bruins earned a big win over the USC Trojans on Saturday, and collected two verbal commitments over the weekend as well. The 2013 class added another terrific athlete in Darren Andrews (La Puente, Calif./Bishop Amat) who decommitted from Duke before giving his pledge to the UCLA staff. And the 2014 class saw its first member, with the commitment of wide receiver Jeff Farrar (Upland, Calif./Upland). Things could have hardly gone better for the Bruins, as they made a strong impression on many uncommitted ESPN 300 standouts, including safety Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza), safety Tahaan Goodman (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga), cornerback Johnny Johnson (Fresno, Calif./Central) and defensive end Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland). Goodman and his mother met at length with the UCLA coaches on Sunday, and the Bruins will have a chance to close very strong with the defensive backfield in this class.
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While a mid-October visit to Notre Dame had an enormous impact on four-star athlete Max Redfield, ultimately leading to his decommitment from USC, it didn’t have nearly the same lasting effect on cornerback Chris Hawkins (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga).
Hawkins admitted that, yes, the trip to South Bend, Ind., was nice, but a return to the Coliseum for the Colorado game made him feel right at home. The four-star cornerback prospect was one of a handful of USC commits to attend the Trojans’ 62-51 loss to Oregon on Saturday, and Hawkins once again got that special feeling.
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McQuay, Goodman could replace Redfield
November, 5, 2012
11/05/12
12:57
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By
Blair Angulo | ESPN.com
The USC recruiting class had held steady for 99 days. It had filled to capacity some six months before National Signing Day, well before the start of the college football season.
Four-star athlete Max Redfield (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) was one of eight recruits to decide on USC in the month of July alone. On July 18 he became a coveted final piece for a class that already included program building blocks like No. 2-rated defensive tackle Kenny Bigelow (Elkton, Md./Eastern Christian Academy), top-rated safety Su'a Cravens (Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta) and No. 2-rated pocket passer Max Browne (Sammamish, Wash./Skyline).
On Sunday night, Redfield -- who had downgraded his stance on the Trojans to "soft" following an official visit to Notre Dame on Oct. 12 -- officially decommitted from USC.
Four-star athlete Max Redfield (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) was one of eight recruits to decide on USC in the month of July alone. On July 18 he became a coveted final piece for a class that already included program building blocks like No. 2-rated defensive tackle Kenny Bigelow (Elkton, Md./Eastern Christian Academy), top-rated safety Su'a Cravens (Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta) and No. 2-rated pocket passer Max Browne (Sammamish, Wash./Skyline).
On Sunday night, Redfield -- who had downgraded his stance on the Trojans to "soft" following an official visit to Notre Dame on Oct. 12 -- officially decommitted from USC.
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Four-star S Tahaan Goodman stays patient
November, 3, 2012
11/03/12
3:59
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By
Blair Angulo | ESPN.com
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. -- Four-star safety Tahaan Goodman (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga) walked off the field Friday night following a 31-6 victory against Alta Loma (Calif.) and immediately removed his helmet, revealing a black skull cap with the familiar blue UCLA script logo plastered on the front.
But as reporters approached, the nation’s No. 8-rated safety prospect quickly took off the cap -- sacrificing warmth in fear of misinterpretation -- and smiled. It was a classic "nothing to see here, folks" moment.
Goodman had planned to take an official visit to LSU for the Tigers’ highly anticipated battle against Alabama, but said he would instead reschedule. It pained him to postpone the trip, but being able to attend USC’s crucial game against Pac-12 Conference leader Oregon at the Coliseum was a consolation of sorts.
But as reporters approached, the nation’s No. 8-rated safety prospect quickly took off the cap -- sacrificing warmth in fear of misinterpretation -- and smiled. It was a classic "nothing to see here, folks" moment.
Goodman had planned to take an official visit to LSU for the Tigers’ highly anticipated battle against Alabama, but said he would instead reschedule. It pained him to postpone the trip, but being able to attend USC’s crucial game against Pac-12 Conference leader Oregon at the Coliseum was a consolation of sorts.
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Falah's official visit to Oregon canceled
September, 3, 2012
9/03/12
9:09
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By
Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
USC commit Nico Falah (Bellfower, Calif./St. John Bosco) had planned to take an official visit to Oregon on Sept. 21 in spite of his firm commitment to the Trojans but will no longer make the trip.
It seemed as if he was done with his recruitment once he committed to USC in July, but decided he wanted to officially visit both Oregon and California. The problem is the Ducks don't allow recruits committed to other schools to visit at the expense of their recruiting budget.
With that, Oregon and Falah have mutually agreed to cancel the official visit.
It seemed as if he was done with his recruitment once he committed to USC in July, but decided he wanted to officially visit both Oregon and California. The problem is the Ducks don't allow recruits committed to other schools to visit at the expense of their recruiting budget.
With that, Oregon and Falah have mutually agreed to cancel the official visit.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Tahaan Goodman (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga) isn't rushing his recruitment.
The four-star safety is making sure that it doesn't become overwhelming. Instead, he's learning to like it.
"It is fun, I am enjoying it," he said Saturday at Champion Gridiron Kings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. "I am taking it in a little by little. Right now, at this point, I am checking more schools out, checking more areas out seeing what I like and what is different. I want to put some schools in certain brackets."
The four-star safety is making sure that it doesn't become overwhelming. Instead, he's learning to like it.
"It is fun, I am enjoying it," he said Saturday at Champion Gridiron Kings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. "I am taking it in a little by little. Right now, at this point, I am checking more schools out, checking more areas out seeing what I like and what is different. I want to put some schools in certain brackets."
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Cali CB Adoree' Jackson on the rise
July, 25, 2012
7/25/12
9:49
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By
Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
Gardena (Calif.) Serra High is well known for putting out wide receivers, but one of the top players in Southern California is on the other side of the field for the Cavaliers.
Junior Adoree' Jackson emerged this spring as he was among the top defensive backs at the Los Angeles NFTC that included elite defensive backs like Max Redfield, Chris Hawkins, Tahaan Goodman, Tyler Foreman and Priest Willis. Onlookers and coaches alike agreed that Jackson was as good as any of them.
"Adoree is ferocious. He is real athletic, has good hips and is more physical than you would think. He has a bright future ahead of him. He will be at the top of his class and can go anywhere he wants," said Michael Fletcher, head defensive backs coach for the NFTC.
Junior Adoree' Jackson emerged this spring as he was among the top defensive backs at the Los Angeles NFTC that included elite defensive backs like Max Redfield, Chris Hawkins, Tahaan Goodman, Tyler Foreman and Priest Willis. Onlookers and coaches alike agreed that Jackson was as good as any of them.
"Adoree is ferocious. He is real athletic, has good hips and is more physical than you would think. He has a bright future ahead of him. He will be at the top of his class and can go anywhere he wants," said Michael Fletcher, head defensive backs coach for the NFTC.
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The rich got richer Monday, and it seems that only NCAA mandated scholarship limitations will put a cap on USC’s gold rush.
Four-star cornerback Jalen Ramsey (Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood Academy) became the latest high-profile recruit to commit to the Trojans, joining a stacked class that already includes 11 players ranked in the ESPN 150. Three of the other four verbal commitments are ranked inside the ESPN 300.
Ramsey, the nation’s seventh-ranked corner and 57th-best prospect overall, had recently taken two trips to the USC campus. He shined at the Rising Stars Camp and followed it up with a stellar showing at The Opening, leading to his enormous ascension in the rankings.
Four-star cornerback Jalen Ramsey (Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood Academy) became the latest high-profile recruit to commit to the Trojans, joining a stacked class that already includes 11 players ranked in the ESPN 150. Three of the other four verbal commitments are ranked inside the ESPN 300.
Ramsey, the nation’s seventh-ranked corner and 57th-best prospect overall, had recently taken two trips to the USC campus. He shined at the Rising Stars Camp and followed it up with a stellar showing at The Opening, leading to his enormous ascension in the rankings.
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Much has been made about the secondary tandem at Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) High School of cornerback Chris Hawkins and safety Tahaan Goodman--both members of the ESPN 150--but opponents looking to attack the Cougars underneath or on the ground likely won't find the going any easier, as twin terrors A.J. Latu and Viliami Latu will be waiting.
The linebackers tied for the team lead with 70 tackles last season and look forward to anchoring what will likely be a standout defensive unit this fall. Viliami, a 6-foot-2, 244-pound middle linebacker, and A.J., a 6-foot-2, 207-pound outside linebacker, said they are looking forward to hitting the field for their senior seasons and trying to live up to the hype surrounding Rancho Cucamonga's defense.
"It's really exciting," Viliami said. "We should be one of the top defenses in California, but we have to prove to everybody what we can do."
The linebackers tied for the team lead with 70 tackles last season and look forward to anchoring what will likely be a standout defensive unit this fall. Viliami, a 6-foot-2, 244-pound middle linebacker, and A.J., a 6-foot-2, 207-pound outside linebacker, said they are looking forward to hitting the field for their senior seasons and trying to live up to the hype surrounding Rancho Cucamonga's defense.
"It's really exciting," Viliami said. "We should be one of the top defenses in California, but we have to prove to everybody what we can do."
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RECRUITING NATION WEST COVERAGE
The West Region consists of the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico,
Oregon, Utah, Washington and
Wyoming and provides talent for Pac=12 programs and other national recruiting programs.More RecruitingNation blogs
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