Joakim Gouda is turning heads as one of Georgia's hottest linebacker prospects, and his recruitment journey is just heating up. The McEachern High standout has been on a whirlwind tour of top college programs this spring, and there's no sign of slowing down.
After visiting Georgia for a winter workout, Gouda has since checked out spring practices at Texas, Florida, and Notre Dame. Next on his itinerary are Auburn this weekend and Texas Tech the following weekend, with another stop at Georgia squeezed in midweek.
Gouda’s official visit lineup is locked in: Georgia (May 29-31), Florida (June 5-7), Texas (June 12-14), and Auburn (June 19-21). Notre Dame and Texas Tech will need to pull some strings to break into that schedule.
Here's what Gouda had to say about his recent visits:
Florida: "Meeting Coach Gasparato was a highlight. We had a long conversation, the longest I've had with a coach at my school.
Visiting Florida was great-the weather, the atmosphere. Coach Sumrall stands out with his passion.
Their practice was intense, fast-paced, and had that classic SEC feel. It was a blast."
Texas: "Coach Muschamp was the first to reach out, and he made a big impression. Getting to know him better solidified Texas in my mind. Their linebacker coach, Coach Nansen, is down-to-earth and an excellent coach."
Notre Dame: "Notre Dame's prestige and history are undeniable. Seeing it firsthand was eye-opening. It's a unique place with a strong network and academic reputation, offering great development for players."
These upcoming visits will help Gouda inch closer to his early-July decision.
Auburn: "The Auburn staff, with ties to South Florida, has been great. Coach DJ Durkin, known as 'Lil Durk' by his family, is impressive with his work with young linebackers. Auburn is a vibrant college town, and I'm eager to see their practice for the first time."
Georgia: "Georgia has been pivotal in my recruitment. Coach Schu was the first to offer me, and I've always felt connected. Their development program is top-notch, especially with Kirby's experience coaching linebackers."
Texas Tech: "Texas Tech caught my attention with what they did for Jacob Rodriguez, transforming him from a walk-on quarterback to a near Heisman finalist. I’m curious to see what’s happening there. Even if it’s not the right fit, it could help my current season."
Gouda’s journey is one to watch as he navigates these pivotal visits and edges closer to a decision that could shape his future in college football.