- Elite size and athleticism: Standing at 6‑6 and weighing around 315 lb, Goodman is a physical specimen. His arm length (near 34.5″) and 10″+ hands give him exceptional reach, while his shot‑put PB of 46‑7.25 feet speaks to his upper‑body explosion .
- National standing: Rising to No. 19 overall nationally and the No. 5 tackle in the class via 247Sports, he also stands as New Jersey’s top football recruit .
- On3 valuation: On3 ranks him No. 46 overall, the No. 8 OT, and the No. 2 player in NJ—highlighting his consistency across the major recruiting platforms .
🏈 Recruitment Journey
Malachi’s recruitment was a high-stakes saga. Official visits included Penn State, Auburn, Georgia, Alabama, and USC. Despite heavyweight offers—from Alabama and Georgia among them—he narrowed his final list to Penn State, Auburn, and USC .
Why Penn State?
Goodman cited Penn State’s developmental track record, the offensive line coaching group, and strong rapport with OL coach Phil Trautwein as decisive factors .
🚀 Upside & Playing Style
On3’s Charles Power praised Goodman’s “length, strength, and balance,” citing his ability to anchor in the pass game and dominate downhill in the run game. His age—turning just 18 before entering college—enhances his upside .
From 247Sports’ report:
“Elite initial hand quickness … jarring punch power … reacts well to counter rushers … functional strength in upper and lower body” .
While not yet a fire‑footed athlete, analysts see room for improvement through flexibility and technique refinement.
🧭 What’s Next
- Freshman arrival: Goodman is set to enroll at Penn State this summer and will be part of early practices .
- Depth chart competition: He’ll challenge for playing time across the line, with his combination of power and fundamentals making him an exciting potential starter by year two.
🌟 Long-term Outlook
Malachi Goodman brings first-round NFL potential. 247Sports projects him as a future first-rounder, citing both his talent and Penn State’s OL development success under Trautwein .
For Penn State, landing Goodman elevates their national standing, reaffirms their recruiting prowess, and furthers momentum in building a dominant offensive line toward future CFP contention.
✅ Summary
Goodman checks every box in the makings of an elite offensive tackle: rare size, powerful athleticism, technical polish, and high-level competition experience. His commitment to Penn State over college football powerhouses reflects both a significant coup for the program and a bright trajectory for his collegiate and pro aspirations.
As he steps onto campus, all eyes will be on how quickly he can translate his five-star pedigree into on-field performance—and potentially deep playoff runs in State College.
Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into his high school film, OL coach Phil Trautwein’s developmental plans, or projected Penn State lineups around Goodman.
