Deion Sanders just dropped a bomb, straight up saying that Chauncey Gooden is the **only** interior lineman in all of Division I football playing both ways. This isn’t just some casual observation either, folks, this was a massive highlight from Colorado’s grinding 14-13 season-opening win over Georgia Tech. Gooden is out there making history, and his coach is shouting it from the rooftops, per Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today.
Unstoppable on Both Sides of the Ball
Gooden wasn’t just *playing* both ways; he was absolutely tearing it up. The dude started at guard and then went and spent time at defensive tackle against Georgia Tech. Think about that workload for a second. And get this: he didn’t allow a single pressure or a single sack the entire game, according to Scott Procter of DNVR Sports. Zero. That’s not just impressive; that’s unheard of for a guy pulling double duty in the trenches. He’s battling on every single snap, and he’s still coming out clean. What an absolute motor on that guy!
It wasn’t just Gooden thriving, either. Colorado’s defensive front absolutely ate in that win, racking up three sacks and completely shutting down the Yellow Jackets’ ground game. Georgia Tech was limited to a paltry average of 1.7 yards per rush as a team. You can bet Gooden’s presence on the defensive line had a huge hand in that kind of dominance. When you’ve got a player capable of disrupting both sides of the ball, it sends a jolt through the entire squad.
Prime’s Blueprint: Dominate Offense, Then Defense
You know Coach Prime has a history with two-way phenoms, right? Travis Hunter, anyone? Heisman Trophy winner in 2024, excelling at both cornerback and wide receiver for the Buffaloes. Sanders clearly has a blueprint for these guys, and Gooden is the latest example of that vision. Gooden himself broke down the process when he spoke to reporters, saying, “Coach Prime just believed in me on the field, whatever I’m doing.” He made it clear that dominating on offense was the first step: “First off, it was on the offensive line. So, he made it clear that I need to handle what I need to handle on the offensive side to be able to play defense.”
But defense, that’s where Gooden’s heart truly lies, he admitted. “Defense is always something I’ve had the heart for.” That passion is obvious when you see him out there. He added, “Coach Prime said you dominate on offense and then you’ll be able to play defense. That’s all I want to do. Anything to help my team win at the end of the day.” You gotta love that attitude! This isn’t about stats for him; it’s about being an ultimate team player. After only appearing in four games his freshman season in 2025, it’s crystal clear Gooden’s role is exploding this year. Colorado is 1-0 and they’re just getting started. This dude is going to be fun to watch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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