2021 Signee DE Monkell Goodwine Ready to Be Developed at Alabama

2021 defensive end Monkell Goodwine might not have been able to play football this fall due to COVID-19 restrictions in his home state of Maryland, but that hasn't stopped him from putting in work, gearing towards his arrival at the University of Alabama.

As a junior, the National Christian Academy standout tallied up 68 tackles, 16 quarterback hurries, seven sacks, and three forced fumbles.

Subsequently, many schools came calling like Texas A&M, Kentucky, Arizona State, Clemson, and the Crimson Tide.

"I had to go with what I know," Goodwine previously told Bama Central. "And I know Alabama makes a lot of players that go to the league. Every player that goes there is successful at the end of the day. I think I am confident with playing with the best and going against the best.

Class of 2021 DE Monkell Goodwine (@MonkellGoodwine) verbally commits to @AlabamaFTBL 💪 https://t.co/6nRtTxrQqv pic.twitter.com/g7ltjtIyeW
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 15, 2020

"I feel really comfortable with Coach Sal [Sunseri], Coach [Freddie] Roach, and Coach [Nick] Saban. It is all around good vibes up there

On Wednesday, his dreams became official as he signed with Saban and company and is expected to be an early enrollee in January.

The Next 🌊🌊🌊

Welcome, @MonkellGoodwine #BamaFactor | #RollTide pic.twitter.com/dPYhSHs9zP
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) December 16, 2020

According to Sports Illustrated All-American, Goodwine is rated as the 87th best player in the country and tenth-best interior defensive lineman.

Check out the rest of SIAA's evaluation of Alabama newest pass rusher:

Prospect: DL Monkell Goodwine

Projected Position: Defensive Interior

Status: SI All-American Candidate

Vitals: 6-foot-4, 265 pounds

School: Fort Washington (Md.) National Christian Academy

Committed to: Alabama

Frame: Wide and big shoulders with thick biceps and long arms. Has minor baby fat in lower midsection with athletic trunk and powerful thighs.

Athleticism: Measured with a 78.5-inch wingspan last spring, and also posted a 4.51 shuttle time. Strong and stout in trenches with toughness. Plays big at the point. Can overpower soft shoulders when rushing. Consistent to take advantage versus leaky anchors. Shows good torso rotation for big body and is capable of cornering flat to passers with space. Gets a good fit and wrap when finishing.

Instincts: Can punch and peak well versus base blocks inside. Good to longarm and work to keep outside arm free and maintain edge leverage versus reaches when outside. Alert and insertive versus playside pulls. Good eyes with quick mesh-point location. Pursues and hunts hard in chase phase.

Polish: Plays both LDE and RDE 5-technique spots, along with some 4i in odd fronts. Doesn’t possess a polished toolbox, but has flashed speed-to-power and a club in his initial pass-rush moves, as well as a longarm to counter and control after impact. Can be late off the ball at times. Also will play with a high hat at the point of attack.

Bottom Line: Although he likely won’t be a primary pass-rusher for a defense, Goodwine is a versatile player with tools. He plays strong at the point and hunts ball-carriers with range before finishing with a powerful wrap. He could be solid as a traditional LDE or 3-technique in a 4-man front, yet Goodwine appears best suited to be a 5-technique DE in a 3-man front with multi-gap responsibilities.