Malliciah Goodman: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Clemson Defensive End

Malliciah Goodman has been one of my favorite draft prospects to study on tape. He isn't anywhere near the household name as some of the other top defensive ends in the draft class, but Goodman will be a mighty fine player in the National Football League. 

One of my favorite aspects of his game is that he seems to fill a variety of roles in both the 3-4 and 4-3 schemes. As you already know, this will help his draft stock come draft day. 

Let's take a look at five things we simply must know about Goodman as he prepares for life in the NFL.  

Background

Full Name: Malliciah Goodman (January 4, 1990)

Hometown: Florence, South Carolina

High School: West Florence High School in Florence, South Carolina

Class: Senior

Major: Sociology

According to Rivals.com, Goodman was the second-ranked defensive end recruit back in 2009. In fact, he ranked No. 38 overall nationally. 

Needless to say, Clemson hoped that Goodman would remain in-state during the recruiting process. Indeed, he did. 

Goodman chose Clemson over Tennessee and South Carolina, among other prominent football powerhouses. 

After a stellar four-year career at Clemson, Goodman graduated with a degree in sociology this past December (via Clemson). 

Statistics

2009 (Freshman): 14 games, 26 tackles, 17 solo, six for loss and two sacks.

2010 (Sophomore): 13 games, 32 tackles, 17 solo, 3.5 for loss, one sack and three forced fumbles. 

2011 (Junior): 14 games, 50 tackles, 25 solo, 4.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble.

2012 (Senior): 13 games, 20 tackles, 11 solo, 9.5 for loss, seven sacks and four forced fumbles. 

Goodman came to Clemson with a lot of fanfare. He finished his freshman campaign as Rookie of the Year for the Tigers defense. While Goodman didn't start a single game, he did play about one-third of the defensive snaps on the season. Interestingly enough, he sat behind Da'Quan Bowers and Andre Branch on Clemson's depth chart that season. 

In 2010, Clemson was still pretty much a role player. He started just one game but continued to make an impact as a reserve player. 

It wasn't until Goodman's senior season that he started to get a lot of attention from the national media. He started all 13 games with Branch graduating to the NFL. Overall, he finished tied for eighth in the nation with four forced fumbles and first in the ACC in that category. 

All statistics provided by CFB Stats.

Draft Process

Measurements

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 276

Arm Length: 36.375"

Hand Size: 11"

Combine Results

Broad Jump:  114.0"

40-Yard Dash: 4.87

Vertical Jump: 31.5"

Bench Press: 26 reps at 225

While Goodman really didn't do much in the generic drills at the NFL Scouting Combine, failing to finish in the top 10 among defensive linemen in any category, other measurables seem to indicate that he did just fine in Indianapolis. 

Gil Brandt of NFL.com filed the following report after Goodman's combine performance (h/t CBS Sports): 

"

Goodman ran the 40-yard dash in 4.70 and 4.67 seconds. He recorded a 33-inch vertical, a 9-foot-9 broad jump, a 4.48-second short shuttle run and 7.10-seconds in the three-cone drill. He had the same reps (26) at 225 as at the NFL combine. His biggest measurable might be his nearly 37-inch-long arms. 

"

As an entire package, Goodman has freakish upside. 

All measurements and combine numbers provided by NFL.com.

Interesting Facts

Let me start this slide by making your jaw literally drop to the ground. According to CBS Sports:

"

Malliciah Goodman is a physical marvel. He possesses massive 11 inch hands - measured from thumb to pinky - requiring XXXXL gloves. 

"

If you don't believe us, check out this photo. 

That's absolutely freakish. 

Needless to say, Goodman grew into his massive frame at a relatively early age. He was a finalist for Mr. Football in South Carolina in 2008. 

Observations

Goodman is one of the most intriguing defensive prospects in the entire 2013 NFL draft. He has the size, physical ability and tools to be an absolutely dominating defensive end. In fact, some have drawn comparisons to Bruce Smith. 

However, let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Goodman's production at Clemson didn't seem to match the pure physical ability that he possesses. 

Adam Caplan of the Philadelphia Eagles' official website had the following to say about Goodman's freakish build:

"

One of my top sleeper DE/OLBs-- Malliciah Goodman-- has visits with ATL and PIT. Longest arms (36) and wingspan (over 87) at combine.

"

Measurements are fine and dandy, but does he has what it takes as a football player to make it at the next level? That's the larger question here. 

Bleacher Report's Ryan McCrystal had this to say about Goodman in his scouting report earlier this week: 

"

Goodman has the potential to carve out a nice career for himself as a 4-3 defensive end, but it's difficult to imagine him making a significant impact in any other role.

He could survive as a 3-4 linebacker, but he would struggle on the few occasions when he would be asked to drop into coverage. He simply lacks the range necessary to excel at the position. 

"

While some may disagree with the assessment that Goodman would struggle as a 3-4 linebacker in coverage, he does seem better suited to play in a 3-4. That being said, his versatility here is key for his draft stock.  

Vincent Frank is an NFL featured columnist here at Bleacher Report. Vincent is the head sports editor over at eDraft, co-host of Draft Sports Radio, which airs every Monday and Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. ET, and a fantasy writer for Pro Football Focus.

Go ahead and give him a follow on Twitter @VincentFrankNFL.