Outside the Huddle and Blitz are counting down who they feel are the top 50 individual players in northeast Indiana heading into the 2026 season.
Our highest preseason honor, the 8th annual First Eleven, profiles the top players (in the mind of Outside the Huddle) entering the fall.
No. 10: OL/DL Derrion Goodwin, senior, North Side
For the length of his high school playing career, Goodwin has been motivated about what he is not supposed to be able to do.
Start as a freshman? Yep, he did that.
Go both ways along the line without much in the way of rest? Check.
Play a multitude of positions along the offensive and defensive fronts with equal capability? Yes sir.
That’s what makes Goodwin so impressive. He works hard and isn’t afraid of challenges. You tell him he cannot do something? He is going to find a way to prove you wrong.
At 6-foot-2 and 290 pounds, he looks the part of a lineman, and he plays like it too. Lining up at nose on defense, he frequently beats centers coming out of their stance and is in the backfield before you know it. He is also very good at shedding blocks and getting into the backfield to create havoc. His wingspan is immense, and once he gets his hands on you, it’s all over. He accounted for 20 tackles and six tackles for loss as a junior.
Goodwin can play center, tackle and guard along the offensive front, but his forte is center. He is very good at pulling and getting to the perimeter to lead the way for a back. He is especially impressive when he does not have a D-lineman over him and he gets to the second level, where he shows his athleticism in being able to take on quicker linemen.
Goodwin is a primary reason why the old adage “North Side has the skill guys, but not the linemen” hasn’t applied in recent years for the Legends.
COACH’S QUOTE ON DERRION GOODWIN
“Derrion is the heart & soul of our team! He has been a four-year starter for us and a two-year captain. He can play any interior position on both sides of the ball. Derrion makes our team go! I can’t wait to see the impact he makes as a senior. I know he will have a special player.”– North Side coach Ben Johnson
Be the first to comment