What’s in a name?
Dylan Gooden, a four-star linebacker, committed last week to playing football at the University of Maryland.
He’s the son of former New York Yankees and New York Mets right-hander Dwight Gooden.
Dylan Gooden initially announced his commitment in December and put pen to paper on National Signing Day.
According to his father, Dylan is ready to make the family proud. Per the New York Post:
“I’m glad he is making his own name, his own path. I told him he’s got to work hard. The difference between a good player and a great player is in practices and games: What are you doing to make yourself better?”
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Among the schools in the mix for Gooden was Rutgers, who visited Piscataway in June with his parents, according to NJ Advance Media’s Todderick Hunt.
Gooden is an athletic, crafty player, who excels mostly by using his hands to swipe blockers off his frame, freeing himself up to make plays. He immediately rids of contact, allowing his quickness to shine as he runs down quarterbacks and ball-carriers like a cheetah hunting its prey, and sets his edge.
Gooden can also stack-release, push-pull, has an assortment of arm-over-and-under moves and, generally, doesn’t get blocked. He always gets his hands up, batting passes and blocking passing windows for quarterbacks not in his grasp, and field goal attempts by kickers.
But of course, the natural question is: Why football instead of baseball, like his old man?
“He played baseball, said baseball was boring, which I don’t understand,” said Dwight Gooden.
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Gooden was a four-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion (Mets in 1986, Yankees in 1996 and 2000).
Gooden was the 1985 National League Cy Young Award winner, taking home the Triple Crown by leading the league in wins (24), ERA (1.53) and strikeouts (268).
MORE MLB:
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- Yankees add pitching depth, sign journeyman right-hander
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.