Goodson hopes Web site helps draw
interest
By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian
As an All-American tight end and
one of the nation's leading receivers, Ray Goodson has put together
the kind of college football career that, were he playing for a
major program, would virtually assure his name of being known across
the country.
But since Goodson toils in relative obscurity at
Division I-AA Southeast Missouri State University, he realizes that
not very many people outside of the immediate area probably are
familiar with his exploits.
So the former Jackson High School star decided to
take matters into his own hands. With the help of his family and a
Web master in Utah, Goodson has his own Web site --
www.raygoodson.com -- which started up about a month ago.
"It's to get my name out to everybody so everybody
in the country knows my name," Goodson said.
Goodson, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound senior, said he first
toyed with the idea after surfing the net and seeing various college
players from bigger programs with their own Web sites.
"I saw those and I thought that might be a good
thing for a kid from a smaller school," he said.
The rest, said Goodson, was taken care of by his
mother, Tammie.
"My mom pretty well did it all," he said. "She knows
a lady in Utah who puts together Web sites and she got a hold of
her. She put it all together, and my mom calls her to update the
stats."
Asked how much the entire operation sets him back
financially, a laughing Goodson said, "I don't actually know. My mom
handles all of it, but I don't think it's too bad."
And Goodson said the Web site, which features a home
page with biographical information, a photo gallery page, a
statistics page and a page with contact information, has already
attracted quite a bit of attention.
"It's helped a lot," he said. "I've got a lot of
scouts who have called me and e-mailed me."
Goodson, who caught 66 passes for 623 yards last
year to earn All-American honors, so far is living up to his
preseason All-American status this year. In five games, he has
caught 32 passes for 359 yards. He ranks third in the Ohio Valley
Conference and 18th nationally among I-AA players in receptions per
game.
"I want to have a shot at playing pro ball, and I
figure anything will help, which is one of the reasons I wanted the
Web site," said Goodson.
Of course, Goodson -- who had arthroscopic knee
surgery on Wednesday during Southeast's bye week to repair a torn
meniscus but hopes to be ready for the Indians' next game Saturday
night at home against Eastern Kentucky -- has received his share of
good-natured ribbing from teammates.
"I get a lot of crap from them about the Web site,
but it's helping me," he said.
With his blend of size, athletic ability and soft
hands -- probably more than his Web site -- Goodson indeed figures
to attract his share of attention from NFL scouts.
While he welcomes that, Goodson is more intent right
now on helping the Indians (1-4, 1-1 OVC) right a struggling ship
and finish the rest of the season strong.
"I still think we'll be all right," he said.
And Goodson's exploits will continue to be posted
for the world to see.
Noteworthy
Southeast junior wide receiver T.J. Milcic's 13
receptions during last Saturday's 35-28 loss at Eastern Illinois
just missed Southeast's single-game record of 14, set by Farron
Haley in 1989.
Milcic has 17 receptions -- for 234 yards -- in the
last two games and has emerged as one of the Indians' top threats in
the passing game. For the season, he has caught 20 passes for 273
yards and is fourth in the OVC in receptions per game. Milcic caught
20 passes all of last year.
"T.J. is really playing well," Southeast coach Tim
Billings said. "He's become a big weapon for us."
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