NFL scouts eyeing Goda
SLIPPERY ROCK — NFL teams have become pretty familiar with Slippery Rock University.
A year after SRU center and Seneca Valley graduate Brandon Fusco was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings, Rock wide receiver Devin Goda has a shot at being selected in this weekend’s NFL draft.
“He’s really picked up steam during the off-season workouts,” SRU coach George Mihalik said of Goda. “Devin has raised some eyebrows among the pro scouts.
“They’re discovering he’s the total package as a wide receiver.”
An Elizabeth-Forward graduate, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Goda was recruited by Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia and other Division I programs out of high school. Low SAT scores made the bigger schools shy away.
Goda became a national Academic All-American by his senior year at The Rock.
“We’re as proud of that as we are his football accomplishments,” Mihalik said.
Goda caught 75 passes for 1,028 yards and 11 touchdowns last fall as SRU earned a share of the PSAC West title. He joined Greg Hopkins and Ryan McKavish as the lone single-season 1,000-yard receivers in Rock history.
Goda’s 173 catches for 2,259 yards in his Rock career rank second all-time, behind Hopkins.
“About 25 NFL teams scouted him at our games last year, so he’s been on their radar,” Mihalik said.
Goda has been timed at 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash and can catch the ball in a crowd. He also bench-pressed 225 pounds.
“Devin catches the ball with his hands, has the strength to take a hit and the speed to get open,” Mihalik said.
The New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals have worked him out privately and the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets were among the teams attending SRU’s pro day March 13.
The Cowboys flew him down to Texas to interview him and work him out further. A team is only permitted to bring 30 collegiate players in prior to the draft.
Fusco was flown in by the Jets and Philadelphia Eagles last year.
“Dallas has definitely shown the most interest,” Goda said. “Ideally, that will be where I wind up. I know they like small school talent and I love the coaching staff there.
“I’ve gotten seven calls from teams since Sunday and was told to expect a few more between now and Saturday.”
The first round of the draft takes place tonight. Rounds 2 and 3 are Friday with the final rounds being conducted Saturday.
“All it takes is one team to be interested,” Mihalik said. “All Devin wants is a chance in somebody’s camp this summer and that will happen. He’ll be a free agent signing at the very worst.”
Goda said the process has been exciting.
“Since early in my senior year, I felt like I had a chance to make it to the next level,” he said. “Now I believe it more than ever.
“Brandon’s success has definitely helped me. Pro scouts believe in the quality of our program and players we have here now. He kinda opened the door for me.”
