Iowa football: Kirk Ferentz sings high praise on freshman Tyler Goodson

After the Iowa football team’s easy win over Middle Tennessee State University, head coach Kirk Ferentz gave quite a compliment to freshman Tyler Goodson.

Coming into the 2019 season, freshman running back Tyler Goodson was receiving quite a bit of praise inside the Iowa football program and outside of the program as well, but we weren’t quite sure if we would actually see much from the Georgia product this season.

Through four games, I think it’s safe to say, we’re going to see plenty of Goodson this year and in the years coming.

The true freshman already has 202 yards on 34 carries for a healthy 5.9 yard per carry average and yesterday’s performance was his finest yet as averaged 8.1 yards and 12 carries and narrowly missed getting his first touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

After the game head coach Kirk Ferentz had quite a compliment to say about his freshman back.

"Tyler is an addition we thought he was a good prospect coming out of high school, but you know, everything he’s done here he just seems on face but just acts like he belongs.Think about Tony Moeaki, same way. Walked on campus, young guy — you put him with the seniors and he played like a senior. That’s a rare ability for a kid and Tyler has done a good job so far."

First off, this isn’t really a surprise to anyone who has watched an Iowa football game this season. Goodson is a rare skill position player who appears ready to be in a prime role right now as a true freshman for the Iowa football team, not in a year or two.

Just to make sure people realize how big of a deal this is, freshmen don’t typically get thrust into key roles for the Hawkeyes. Kirk Ferentz has built a developmental program that prides itself on creating great players over the course of four to five years. If there is someone ready for action as a freshman, it’s usually on the offensive line or defense. It is almost never at a skill position.

To then compare Goodson to Tony Moeaki, a Kirk Ferentz favorite, a former five-star recruit and one of the best tight ends to play for the Iowa football program is not a statement that should be taken lightly. Moeaki, despite dealing with injuries, was a fantastic steward of the Iowa football program and ended up being selected in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

I think it’s safe to say Kirk Ferentz is incredibly happy to have a talented back like Goodson with them for the next three years.