Zaviar Gooden, LB, Missouri Tigers: 2013 NFL Draft Player Profile

Sept 1, 2012; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers linebacker Zaviar Gooden (25) runs the ball during the first half at Faurot Field.The Missouri Tigers defeated the Southeastern Louisiana Lions 62-10. Mandatory Credit: Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 234 pounds

Drafted By: Tennessee Titans (3rd round, 97th overall)

40 Yard Dash: 4.47

Bench Press: 27

Vertical Jump: 34″

Broad Jump: 131″

2012 Statistics

Career Highlights (via Missouri athletics site)

• 2012 – Team Captain

• 2012 – Mizzou Graduate (May)

• 2011 – Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 12)

• 2010 – Hon. Men. All-Big 12

• 2009 – 1st-Team Academic All-Big 12

2012 OUTLOOK

One of the more athletic specimens to ever play the linebacker position at Mizzou, who is poised for a big senior season in his 3rd year as a starter … Begins fall ball lined up atop the depth chart at the weakside spot, where he started all 13 games in 2011 … Earned his undergraduate degree from MU’s Trulaske College of Business this past May, meaning he’ll play the 2012 season as a graduate student.

2011 SEASON

Had a solid junior campaign at the WLB spot, starting all 13 games and ranking 3rd on the team with 80 tackles, including a team-best 54 solo stops … Led all Tigers with nine tackles against Arizona State in week two, all solo … recorded his first sack of the season, dropping Brock Osweiler for a loss of three yards in the final two minutes … blocked an Arizona State extra point in the second quarter … was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts against the Sun Devils … had eight tackles at Oklahoma, seven of which were solo with the other being assisted tackle for loss … also recorded a pass breakup against the Sooners … racked up six tackles, including an assisted tackle for loss against Kansas State … led all Tigers with nine tackles against Oklahoma State … had 1.5 tackles for loss against the Cowboys, totaling four yards, and also broke up a pass … had three solo and three assisted tackles against Texas A&M … had six total tackles at Baylor, including one for a six yard loss … had six tackles against Texas … broke up two passes against Texas Tech and had nine total tackles … finished tied for the team lead with seven tackles and also had an interception, picking off a pass batted at the line by teammate Dominique Hamilton early in the first quarter … Closed the season with a 6-tackle outing in the Independence Bowl, which included 1.5 TFLs, and an interception for the 2nd-straight game…

2010 SEASON

Emerged as one of the top playmakers for the Tiger defense, as he led the team with 85 tackles in his first year as a starter, playing on a unit which was one of the most improved defenses in the nation during 2010 … Was very consistent throughout the season, as he had no less than 5 tackles in every game against FBS competition, and he accounted for 5 turnovers in all, including 2 recovered fumbles, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble while notching 7.5 tackles for loss and 3 QB sacks in all … Tied for second on the team with eight tackles in the season opener against Illinois … Started at linebacker against UI, his first career start … Made five tackles in the win over San Diego State … Had seven stops against Miami (Ohio) … Also had a fumble recovery against the RedHawks … Made eight tackles against Colorado … Included in the eight tackles was two TFLs and one sack … Added a pass break-up against CU … Tied for the team lead with an eight-tackle performance against Texas A&M … Made his first career interception against Oklahoma … The INT came in the fourth quarter, helping MU put away the Sooners … Added five tackles against OU … Tied for second on the team with seven tackles against Nebraska … Had three TFLs against the Huskers, including two sacks … Made seven tackles, including one for a loss against Texas Tech … Picked off a pass and returned it 10 yards, for his second INT of 2010 … Also had three pass break-ups against the Red Raiders … Made nine tackles and had 1.5 TFLs against Kansas State.

2009 SEASON

Saw his first action as a Tiger after moving down to the linebackers over the summer, after spending the spring at his traditional safety position … Saw action in all 13 games and really started to hit his stride toward the latter part of the season, as he had three or more tackles in six of MU’s last seven ballgames … Finished with 30 tackles on the year, including three tackles for loss … Also did a great job in the classroom, as he earned First-Team Academic All-Big 12 honors for his efforts … Made three tackles against Furman, including one TFL … Had a then-career-best four tackles against Nevada and recorded two stops in the Oklahoma State game … Tied his career high with four tackles against Texas … Made three tackles (all solos) against Colorado on Oct. 31 … Also recovered a fumble in the win over CU … Had one pass-break-up against Baylor on Nov. 7 … Made five tackles against Kansas State to set a new career best … Also forced a key fumble on the one-yard line that went out of the endzone resulting in a touchback for Missouri … Had three tackles in both the Iowa State and Kansas games … Had three tackles in the spring game from the safety position.

2008 SEASON

Worked hard as part of the Tiger defensive scout team … Twice was named the defense’s Back-Up Player of the Week – for his efforts in practice prior to Mizzou’s games against Oklahoma State and Kansas.

Career Stats

Scouting Report/Player Notes

Video Highlights (via YouTube)