NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A year after drafting speedy outside linebacker Zach Brown, the Titans were at it again Friday night, selecting athletic Missouri linebacker Zaviar Gooden with their final pick in the third round (97 overall) of the NFL Draft.
A physical tackler, Gooden displayed athleticisim and speed (4.47 in 40) during his career at Missouri, appearing in 49 games with 36 starts at outside linebacker. He recorded 256 tackles, four sacks, five interceptions, 20.5 stops for loss, two forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 11 passes defensed and a blocked kick.
Gooden started 10 games as a team captain his senior year, finishing seventh on the team with 61 tackles (36 solo), four stops for loss and two fumble recoveries. One of his biggest plays came when he returned an interception for a touchdown vs. Southeastern Louisiana.
He recorded seven tackles vs. Vanderbilt and followed by making four tackles, including half a tackle for loss vs. Alabama. he added four tackles with a fumble recovery in the Tigers' 33-10 win over Kentucky, delivered five tackles (three solos) and a pass break-up in the Tigers' 14-7 loss at Florida, and led Mizzou with nine tackles (three solos) in the Tigers' 51-48 overtime win at Tennessee. He posted a career-high 15 tackles (10 solos), including a tackle for loss in Mizzou's 31-27 loss to Syracuse.
