Kiyaunta Goodwin, former Kentucky offensive lineman, announces transfer to SEC East rival
Kiyaunta Goodwin is staying in the SEC East.
The former Kentucky offensive lineman committed to Florida after entering the portal earlier this offseason. The Gators officially announced the transfer on Wednesday morning:
Be like Kiyaunta.
Welcome to The Swamp, @K_Goodwin2022! #GoGators | #D23AMTEAM pic.twitter.com/n9Sw9pPeUD
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) January 25, 2023
Goodwin could be a major addition for Florida’s offensive line. He’s a former top-50 prospect who just wrapped up his first season of college football. He was the No. 38 overall player in the class of 2022, per 247Sports Composite rankings.
Florida coach Billy Napier acknowledged Goodwin’s decision shortly after it was made official:
?
— COACH BILLY NAPIER (@coach_bnapier) January 25, 2023
Physically, Goodwin is expected to be one of the biggest players on Florida’s team next season. He’s listed at 6-foot-8, 351 pounds.
Florida has overhauled a large portion of its roster this offseason during Napier’s first full recruiting cycle as head coach. The Gators now have commitments from 10 transfers for the 2023 season. Florida also has commitments from 19 high school prospects in the class of 2023.
Napier led Florida to a 6-7 record during his 1st season at the helm.
Wish the best for him. Also wish he chose a different school. Nonetheless, I wonder what went wrong at UK.
I wouldn’t take it as a personal rebuke of UK PillsburyThrowboy. A lot of these young athletes that are hitting the portal now have me scratching my head.
Will compete with Damieon George for a day 1 starting position even with his inexperience, given Barber is the only other legit SEC OT left on the roster with Waites out. Good work by CBN to land him.
Agreed. This was huge after Waites injured his Achilles. Nice to take some depth from a division rival.
However, I think this transfer portal stuff really stinks. Even though this instance benefited UF, the game feels like the NFL now.
Seems worse than free agency because the players only have 1 year contracts at most.
Has to be a good get it would seem given his 5 star pedigree.
The portal giveth and taketh away
and Lord Kirby ownth thy turd aass
How are you hitting um cojones, glad to see you are still above ground
My guess is that Kirby would be quite embarrassed by this post, given that he has more class in his little finger than the average, run of the mill troll has in his entire gathering of protoplasm.
Are we talking about the same Kirby that instructed his players to look at the scoreboard and laugh at UF players who were running their mouths on the field? The same Kirby, who in the same half-time talk, told the UGA players he wanted to “f’ing break them” (them = UF)
Yeah, I’m sure Kirby would be embarrassed to know that UGA fans are rubbing UF fans noises in it over Kirby’s absolute domination of UF.
Geez, take a chill pill boomer, it’s just football and a 2nd rate sports drama site
It’s “noses” you dumbass, and while most of what I post is in jest you do believe the manure you post. “Lord Kirby” and “King Kirby”
DumbsOfwar, founding member and proud leader of the Georgia Moron Triumvirate
OMG, I posted a typo, where’s the nearest bridge I can jump off of!!!!
Awesome catch cojones, be sure to tell mommy when she gets home, I bet she’ll let you suuck on both t!ts tonight
You, TDOW, are telling ME, Gator-6, to take a chill pill? If there were no such thing as irony, by God, we would have to invent it!
Thanks for providing the best laugh I’ve had all day. Mean it. From the heart of my bottom.
There you go again with the “your mother “ insult. Like any petulant 8 year old. A fraking retarded 8 year old.
So you think Kirby is proud and approving of you coming here to “show those turds” and “rub their noses”. Only thing you’re showing is what an obnoxious, delusional and dumb POS, A hole you are.
Congrats
Yes, it can’t be good for college football. However, you have to play the game by the rules set out.
Not sure I’d go that far. Couldn’t get on the field much for a UK team that struggled on the O-line. One of those kids that changed high school several times so I guess it’s not surprising he’s leaving UK as it’s his pattern. Hope he finds what he’s looking for. Go CATS!!!
I don’t know how good/bad Damieon George is, but I can tell you he basically never saw the field last season. The OT’s in front of him on the depth chart weren’t anything to brag about and UK fans had the same thoughts heading into last season.
same thoughts/expectations for Goodwin*
Strikes me that both of you guys are revealing an underlying reality that a 5-star classification does not automatically translate to performance when evaluated in person, in real time, under SEC conditions. I’ll cede that the majority do, but the outliers are staggering. While the TASK may be similar, the CONDITION and STANDARD part of the equation are a different matter.
Regardless, I think he’s nevertheless a good-get for the Gators at position. Only time will tell, though.
Agreed les, even if he doesn’t start the Gators have added a big body for depth who was evaluated highly in high school.
Les has been relatively quiet lately, but when he does post it’s with the authority of common sense.
To those who complained about Napier landing the LB from Houston and the RB from Tulane, don’t be shy and share your current complaint
Sunbelt Billy is doing a splendid job, you all should give him a 10 year contract, 100% guaranteed. Don’t let him get away.
Moron
Have to wonder if TDOW would even make so much as a pimple on Sunbelt Billy’s butt.
CoJones…ignore this kids bro. They are silly af.
This is a big pickup for the Gators, they desperately need help on the oline. They need an anchor at left tackle who can protect Mertz.
Florida also cracked the Top-25 for the transfer portal for Gatorlakelife to get upset about.
LOL!
Lol!! I’m sure he’ll find something to complain about…
This guy had all the physical tools to get on the field as a freshman. And when you think how bad Kentucky’s line was, one would think he would have seen some game action. If he actually decides to work hard and not rely on his *ranking, he could be good. Just never saw the effort at Kentucky. And I wouldn’t assume he’s going to break into the lineup on an even more talented team down in Gainesville. But best of luck to him.
Ignoring the Richardson debacle, expectations are pretty clear under Napier: Hack it or pack it. I’ve heard it’s not much different at Kentucky, so I’m sure there’s more to the story.
Very well could be- not much info has come out. In fact none other than the door was open for him to return if that were his choice. I don’t think he’s a bad kid.
Actually Cats Fan, the Gators haven’t been as talented as the Cats at OT for a couple of years now. Hevesy and Mullen were generally bad at recruiting OLs, but were downright awful at recruiting OTs.
This kid is a good depth piece, for staters, since Tarquin portalled out to USCw and Waites went down with that weird injury. If he can win a starting job, that’ll be a bonus.
I’d be lying if I said I could really provide analysis on Florida’s line last season. But they looked competent. Kentucky’s didn’t. Maybe part of that was Levis’ injuries the limited his mobility. I don’t know. But yes, for sure this kid has a lot of potential. If he pans out, good get for the Gators. There were no question marks on his behavior, so maybe he just needed a fresh start. I’m sure BN has extended conversations with kids before offering them. Good luck to him, and if he plays a part with the Gators, that’s a good program and I’m happy for both.
Only a few of us have a good grasp on opposing teams details, so it’s good when those fans share things like this without trolling. Thanks for the info on his deportment, as that has been a sore spot for us in years past.
It’s really difficult for a kid to start at OT as a freshman. The only position harder is QB.
He may be physically gifted, but if he doesn’t have the footwork down and the hand positioning right, he won’t play. It could get the QB killed.
Probably the hardest position to play as a frosh. Agreed.
First time UF ever had a player name of Kayaunta, and only the second time in college football anywhere and back that a player come and go with it. Check out the 1926 Vanderbilt Slogans.
By George, I did just that and you’re right!!!!!
Welcome to The Gator Empire!
THIS WILL GET THE GATORS THAT ELUSIVE GASPARILLA BOWL TROPHY!!! YOU ALMOST BEAT VANDERBILT!!!
9-3
If the Vols have a good year, yeah…9-3 is attainable in Knoxville with some luck.
Athenians have a funny way of celebrating a NC. Instead of enjoying the ride with fellow Athenians they would rather go to another teams posting board and beat they’re Richard’s. Seems a bit juvey to me but to each his own.
This Dawgs2021 reminds me a lot of kirkm. Another silly adolescent puppy poster
That’s because he IS kirkm
Again…ignore the little boys. Let them talk to themselves. At this point, they should be embarrassed.
Doggie 2021…
Isn’t it interesting that you can’t find the Georgia icon either…
Folks… this is a typical Georgia dumb a.ss…
I can not make this up!
Lol!
This one has UGA level potential.
I would temper expectations for this kid at least for the next year or two. Transferred several times in high school and senior year was playing in the lowest division in Indiana. He is likely 2 years and close to 80 pounds from being in shape to play competitive football. Maybe a change of scenery will help because physically the kid is crazy gifted but if he is starting next year it is not a good sign. Best of luck to the kid especially as he fights to keep his weight under control.
Fortunately, given the guys ahead of him on the lineup, the Gators can afford to wait on his development. He’s like AR, cursed with “boundless potential.”
Question is, can he wait on his own development?
If he’s smart, he will. Notable is the fact that he was attracted by Florida having more than one position coach.
I read a quote from a 24/7 article by Steve W. that said Goodwin also like the Gator’s nutrition program. If I remember correctly, at one point during high school he was over 400lbs. He apparently got focused and was able to bring his weight down to range where he is at now.
I will say this. Napier and his two OL position coaches are setting the table for a monstrously big Gator OL, starting next season.
Looks like only starting center Eguakun will be “smallish” among the project two-deep.
And he’s just a hair over 300 lbs.
I agree kentuckyfan….I was betting that his weight may have been a determining factor, but as StLouis said, the position is a hard fone for freshman to be ready for especially in the SEC. At the end of the day….Napier is doing house cleaning, and we need the bodies.
I never understood why he only played special teams last year. Florida must have paid him
The collective has an extra 13 mil left over, so who knows? (:
LMAO!!! Awesome response Neal. I love it!
LOL!