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LSU adds standout defensive lineman Bernard Gooden via transfer portal
By Andrew Olson
Published:
LSU has made a big-time pickup via the transfer portal to boost its 2025 roster.
Bernard Gooden, a 6-1, 280-pound USF defensive lineman considered the top-ranked player in the portal, has committed to continue his career with Brian Kelly and the Tigers. Gooden’s agency revealed his decision to continue his football career at LSU.
Former USF star defensive lineman Bernard Gooden is committing to LSU, his agency @APSportsAgency tells @CBSSports/@247Sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 26, 2025
Gooden, the No. 1 ranked player in the portal, had 35 tackles and 10 tackles for loss at USF last season. pic.twitter.com/xt4gLIWH28
Gooden is well into his college football career. He’s coming off a breakout season in which he posted his most productive numbers.
A former product of Montgomery (Alabama) Park Crossing High School, Gooden signed with Wake Forest as part of the Demon Deacons’ 2021 recruiting class. Gooden recorded his first statistics in 2022. He played in 12 Wake Forest games, recording 7 total tackles with 2 for loss.
In spring 2023, Gooden transferred from Wake Forest to USF. Gooden was limited to just 2 games in 2023 and did not record a defensive statistic.
Gooden bounced back in a big way last year. He played in 13 games, logging 35 total tackles with 10 for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
