Oklahoma State University Athletics
In Good Hands
October 09, 2012 | Cowboy Football
Oct. 9, 2012
Blake Zimmerman -
Practice came to an end, and John Goodlett stayed on the field.
The younger offensive skill players had to run through some of the new play calls that were unfamiliar.
That drill came to an end, and more players came off the field, except for three. Those three players wanted to practice getting a release when a defensive back tries jamming them at the line of scrimmage.
Goodlett was in that drill.
That drill came to an end, and two players jogged off the field. One receiver stayed because he wanted to try it some more, to get better.
That player was Goodlett.
It makes sense. Oklahoma State is the third college where Goodlett has played football. He has constantly had to earn respect from new teammates and coaches. Working hard is a must.
"You can't take days off," Goodlett said. "If you really want to impress the coaches, you have to give them effort. You have to show that you're willing to play hard first. Coaches know you can improve technique. Effort is the most important thing."
Coming out of Owasso, Goodlett didn't have any offers from FBS schools, but he knew he had the talent to compete, so he enrolled at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, hoping to eventually transfer to a high-level program.
After a season at NEO, where he was a first team all-conference selection, Goodlett accepted a scholarship to play football at Indiana State University. He saw action in 10 games and was looking to start in his junior season.
Then tragedy struck.
Goodlett's grandfather, Floyd Johnson, Sr., died in Tulsa. Goodlett admired his grandfather his entire life and wanted to follow his example. So when the time came to make a decision in the wake of those events, Goodlett knew he was supposed to be closer to his family. He walked away from his scholarship at Indiana State, and walked on at Oklahoma State.
Goodlett said the decision was an easy one. He knew what his grandfather would have done.
"I look up to him every day," Goodlett said. "I try to be as good of a man as he was--he was the best man I ever knew. He taught me to be a man. I'm always trying to do the right thing. That's just my mindset because I try to make my decisions as if he's watching me. I know he's proud of me."
Due to NCAA transfer rules, Goodlett had to sit out and be redshirted in 2011, but with 2012 came a new opportunity. However, he knew it wouldn't be easy.
"The hardest thing was starting over from scratch," Goodlett said. "I knew I had to impress a new set of coaches. Not being a scholarship player, you have to play as if people don't respect you. I knew I had to show I care about this team to gain respect."
That's exactly what he did.
He wasn't on the radar for many OSU football fans at first, but after a productive spring game where he saw quite a bit of action, people started to take notice. Then, on OSU Media Day, when the depth chart was released, Goodlett was listed as a backup inside receiver. He was surrounded on the depth chart by scholarship players. More progress.
Then came the Savannah State game. Goodlett got his chance.
Early in the third quarter, OSU had the ball in the red zone. Goodlett ran a crossing route and took a pass from J.W. Walsh into the end zone for OSU's first passing touchdown of the season. For Goodlett, it was a culmination of a lot of things.
"I was thinking this is why I play the game," Goodlett said. "This is why I come out here every day and give all my effort. There's no greater privilege than playing Division-1 football. It doesn't get any better."
Goodlett wasn't done.
On Sept. 29, he hauled in a 20-yard TD pass from Walsh against Texas that cut the Longhorns' lead to 28-26 late in the third quarter. Nationally-known play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson was yelling Goodlett's name on national television.
For the guy who went from unknown walk-on, to reaching into the first row of Boone Pickens Stadium to sign autographs, it would be hard to call it anything other than a privilege.
Goodlett's career has been all about moving forward, but he knows how far he has come and doesn't take anything for granted.
"Of course it was discouraging at first, having no offers out of high school, but I went the JUCO route for a reason--to be a Division-1 football player," Goodlett said. "I'm just so grateful to be here now. This was always my dream and I'm living it."
He is indeed. After the interview, Goodlett finally walked off the field--yet again the last player to do so.
