Goodson is man in middle of Tigers’ D

There’s always a place for a throwback linebacker who switches seamlessly from Jekyll to Hyde, a player with a choirboy demeanor off the field and a nose for the football in a noisy intersection at rush hour.

Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables hopes senior linebacker B.J. Goodson, “a natural thumper when he strikes people,” makes the transition.

“I believe he will. I have seen a change so I’m hopeful that transcends into making plays and being a real effective middle linebacker for us. I like people that like to rip people’s faces off. That’s what you want to see,” Venables said.

Charged with reshaping a defense that lost eight starters, Venables didn’t have many options for replacing linebackers Stephone Anthony and Tony Steward, but Ben Boulware and Goodson gave him a chance. In 12 games last season, including six starts, Goodson totaled 34 tackles, 3½ for loss including a sack, three pressures and three fumble recoveries.

Still, Venables wasn’t certain how Goodson will respond to his new responsibility. Goodson understands the game, but during his first two years Venables had the sense he was willing to bide his time behind Anthony, Steward and Spencer Shuey rather than asserting himself — in Venables words, sit in the backseat rather than climb over the seat and claim a spot in the middle.

Now Venables wonders if Goodson can flip the switch from practice to game day.

“I wouldn’t say B.J. is a bad practice player, maybe unimpressive some times,” Venables said. “I believe he’s that guy who plays differently than he practices. We’ll see.”

Goodson attended high school in Lamar, a Pee Dee community of a handful more than 1,000. Other than former governor David Beasley, most of the notables from Lamar were NFL players Levon Kirkland, John Abraham and Michael Hamlin.

Kids begin playing football when they’re school age, and everybody in town knows everybody’s business. A.J. Boyd heard Goodson was coming before he arrived at Lamar High.

Lamar played for five Class A state championships in Boyd’s 22 years as head coach, won three, and in 2009 faced Chesterfield for the Class A title with 230-pound Goodson, “the anchor of our defense,” at outside backer in a 3-4 scheme.

“He was blessed with strength,” Boyd said. “From the ankles, up he had some big-time hits. He’s not a mean guy, but when he hits he gives it everything he’s got.”

In one playoff game, Goodson had 20 tackles including eight sacks. The big schools weren’t knocking down his door.

Clemson assistant Kevin Steele, a Pee Dee native, visited, but Boyd knew the caliber of athlete Dabo Swinney was recruiting and was skeptical when Goodson said he’d received a scholarship offer. When the recruiting services were handing out stars, Goodson’s best was three. Some gave him two. Steele thought Goodson might have been rated higher at a bigger school or in a larger market.

“He was being looked at by Coastal and some of those schools,” Boyd said. “He told me he was offered by Clemson. I asked if he got a letter from them. He said his mother had it folded in the Bible at home. I asked him to bring me a copy. He did, and sure enough he was offered a scholarship. I was surprised.”

As Clemson’s middle linebacker, he’ll be the traffic cop on defense employing instinct, reaction and toughness. Goodson is pushing 250 pounds now and durability will be critical until Venables can raise some of the puppies into pit bulls.

Wofford raises the stakes because of its option scheme. Only Georgia Tech plays anything similar, but Wofford brings a more complex approach.

“Obviously, playing Georgia Tech down the road, this will give us some carry over,” Venables said. “They’ve got answers to big fast guys.”

Venables said he learned about Wofford quickly after he arrived, having missed the last game with the Terriers by a year.

“I asked why we play them if we don’t have to,” he said, tongue in cheek. “I’ve been warned. I understand why after watching them. They create a whole set of problems.”

With a hand in Goodson’s development the past three seasons, Venables now sees a hungry, tough player with a chip on his shoulder. How that translates should go a long way to determining the effectiveness of this Clemson defense.

“We’re going to really rely on him on Saturday,” said left guard Eric Mac Lain. “He’s the nicest guy in the world. Probably wouldn’t say more than three words to you off the field, but when he gets on the field we’re constantly going at it.

“Bumping heads (and) I’ll try holding him longer and he’s trying to fight,” he said. “It’s great to have that in a linebacker, especially nice guy, soft-hearted off the field but on the field he’s a way different man.”