Gerald Gooden Jr.

Gerald Gooden Jr. (born January 18, 1989) is a defensive end who is currently a member of the Spokane Shock of the Arena Football League.

High school career
Gooden attended Hooks High School in Hooks, Texas, where he followed the steps of players like Billy Sims, Jeremiah Trotter, and Wilbert Brown to name a few retired NFL players. He was coached by Jim Rice. During his high school career, Gooden was ranked as the No. 88 linebacker nationally by Scout.com. He recorded 122 tackles, including eight sacks, with one interception in senior season. He also participated in baseball, basketball and track and field.

Gooden committed to Purdue University on February 2, 2007. Gooden wasn't heavily recruited, as he also had two other FBS scholarship offers from SMU and UTEP.

College career
After redshirting in 2007, Gooden appeared in all 12 games in the 2008 season including two starts under Defensive line coach Terrell Williams and Head Coach Joe Tiller. For 2008-2009 season, Gooden was ranked fourth on team with 2 sacks, and recorded 14 tackles (11 solo, 3 assists) including 4 for loss. Made first career start and had season-high six tackles (5 solos, 1 assist) including 1 for loss vs Northern Colorado.

In 2009 he started all 12 games and was tied for third on team with 4.5 sacks and ranked fourth with 8.0 tackles for loss. He also recorded 37 total tackles 24 of which were solo with 13 assisted tackles. Against Oregon on September 12 he recovered a fumble. Then he had had six tackles (4 solo, 2 assists), including career-high 3.5 for loss, vs. Illinois on Oct. 24. He had one of his best days in this college career against Wisconsin on October 31 finishing with a career-high seven tackles (4 solo, 3 assists).

At the beginning of the 2010 season he was named a Co-Captain of the Purdue Football team, and once again started all 12 games. He registered 25 total tackles, including 21 solo stops and 4.0 for loss with 1.5 sacks, two fumbles forced and a fumble recovered.

Pre-draft
Prior to the 2012 NFL Draft, Gooden was projected to be undrafted by NFLDraftScout.com. He was rated as the 45th-best outside linebacker in the draft. He was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, he posted the following numbers during his Purdue pro-day workouts:

Arizona Cardinals
Gooden signed with the Arizona Cardinals in April after failing to hear his named called during the 2012 NFL Draft.

Spokane Shock
In November 2012, Gooden signed with the Spokane Shock, of the Arena Football League, for their 2013 season.

Seinäjoki Crocodiles
in March 2013, Gooden signed with Finnish Vaahteraliiga team Seinäjoki Crocodiles.