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SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW Interview with Buchanan Award Winning Cal Poly DE Chris Gocong: I-AA Sack Master!
Josh Buchanan
NFLDraftScout.com
December 12, 2005 - Chris Gocong, one of the smartest players you will run across, has capped a terrific career at the I-AA level where he has finished as a two-time First Team All-Great West Selection and a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award both as a junior and senior.
Gocong is a General Engineering major who has shown his smarts all during his career and they have helped him become one of the best defenders in I-AA, if not the best.
He is once again a finalist and the favorite to walk away with the Buck Buchanan Award next week at the Award Ceremony in Chattanooga, TN.
Now that his season is over he says he will focus on the combine, all-star game, and performing for NFL scouts in general.
He also wants to earn his degree and go into engineering after his football career has come to an end.
Gocong's journey has been a long one but he has finally become one of the best to ever play I-AA football.
Updated 12/15/05
First off, congrats on winning the Buchanan Award. What is it like for you to win this award after finishing as the runner up last year and having the pressure on you all year being the favorite this season?
Chris: Thanks a lot. It is just amazing. I can't believe that I actually won this award. Coming in second behind Jordan last year was a dream in itself. There was a lot of pressure mostly by myself to perform like I did last year. It is just amazing to get this award.
Did you expect to win this award going into the year or did you even think about it?
Chris: There were always people reminding like saying "hey have you seen the Buchanan standings" during the season. I just try to play my game and then worry about the awards afterwards.
Where does this rank along with all of the awards you have won in your lifetime?
Chris: This is definitely the best award I have ever gotten. Who can really say they have been voted the best defensive player in I-AA? It is a great honor and I really think there are a lot of guys that deserve it. I just think it is an amazing award.
Where do you go from here? After this weekend what are your plans for the next few months leading up to the draft?
Chris: I am basically going to just workout and get my 40 down and get my weight in the right range. I want to play in an all-star game and go to the combine. I don't know where I want to be in terms of weight heading into the combine. I think as long as I stay around 265 I will be fine. I can put on pounds and lose some, if needed.
What is your height, weight, and 40 time?
Chris: 6'3, 260, and they had me at a 4.78 40.
Why did you choose Cal Poly coming out of high school and what other schools showed interest?
Chris: I wasn't really recruited out of high school that much. It was basically Cal Poly recruiting me for football. It was a big plus that I could play football and do engineering.
Did you play any sports in high school that you think have helped you as a defensive end?
Chris: I did run track. I threw the shot put and discus. I think that really helped with my explosiveness.
What are you majoring in?
Chris: My major is General Engineering and my concentration is Biomedical Engineering.
When will you graduate?
Chris: Hopefully in March.
What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
Chris: I think I have good hand speed and I am good off the ball. Some things I need to work on would be maybe a counter move or covering a back since I don't go into coverage that often.
What do you want to work on most when preparing for the NFL?
Chris: I think for the combine I need to work on the technique of my 40. I play fast on the field and that carries over to 40 and that is a big thing to the scouts.
What is it like for you being named the best defensive player in the Great West by both the media and coaches?
Chris: It is a huge honor to get these awards but it is awarding itself just playing football with my friends. I feel I have had success on the field and gotten recognition for that. I think others like our coaches and strength coaches deserve a lot of credit you know.
What is the toughest thing about playing end?
Chris: I think it would be when it is 3rd and long and you have been pass rushing all day and the quarterback completes a long pass on you. People don't realize how hard it is to pass rush. It is taxing on your body and I think that is the hardest thing about being a defensive end.
If you could choose, would you play end or tackle?
Chris: I would definitely choose end. I can use my speed a lot more and more options getting of the ball like pass rushing angles.
Are there any basic differences between your personality on and off the field?
Chris: On the field I turn it on and do anything I can to get to the ball. After making a big play I will go a little bit crazy. Off the field I am quiet and reserved. It is kind of like Jeckle and Hyde.
What was your biggest football moment to date and why?
Chris: I think it was against Montana State and the quarterback fumbled the ball and I recovered it. I always wanted to score a touchdown and that was my chance to do it.
Who is the best player and some of the most impressive opponents you have faced?
Chris: I think individually the most impressive players would be Barrick Nealy, Erik Meyer, and Travis Lulay. Also, the tackle from Eastern Washington, Michael Roos, was pretty good last year.
Have you been invited to any all-star games?
Chris: Las Vegas All-American Classic and so far that is it. We will see what happens.
Do you pattern your game after any pro player?
Chris: You know I love watching Terrell Suggs and Dwight Freeney. Those guys are amazing off the edge. I try to play like them but I don't mimic them. I like watching their explosiveness off the ball.
What type of music do you like to listen to?
Chris: I like heavy metal but I like anything.
Do you play video games?
Chris: Yes, I love playing them. Mostly I am on the computer though.
Which system do you own?
Chris: I have an Xbox and Playstation 2 but I am a computer nerd and I play a lot of computer games.
What is your favorite video game?
Chris: Counter Strike. I get like 3 or 4 hours in a day.
What is your favorite fast-food restaurant?
Chris: In and Out. The burgers are great.
Who is hotter, Jessica Simpson or Paris Hilton?
Chris: Jessica Simpson because I think Paris Hilton is too skinny and it seems like she is superficial.
What person do you admire the most and why?
Chris: My mom because she has been through times and I watch how resilient she is and she is my role model. I talk about Freeney and Suggs but she is the one I look up to and try to model my life after.
What are your long term goals outside of football?
Chris: After I am done I hope to get into the biomedical industry. I would love to do implants and also have kids and watch them play football.
2005 SEASON (as of December 12, 2005)
Buck Buchanan Award Finalist… Selected to play in Las Vegas All-American Classic… Postseason honors include The Sports Xchange All-American First Team Defense, Walter Camp First Team All-American, Great West Defensive Player of the Year, and First Team All-Great West (selected by media and coaches)… Started in 13 games… First in the nation in sacks per game (1.81), second in tackles for lost yardage (2.35 per game) and 23rd in forced fumbles (.31)... season-high 11 tackles, 3 for loss, and 1.5 sacks in 14-7 loss to Texas State... career-high 3.5 sacks along with 7 tackles and 3.5 for loss in Northern Colorado contest to earn Great West Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Recorded two sacks and four tackles for lost yardage among his nine total tackles in Cal Poly's 40-35 win over then No. 11 Eastern Washington to win Great West Defensive Player of the Week honors while being credited with 1 quarterback hurry as well… recovered Montana State fumble in the end zone for his first career touchdown, also had 10 tackles and 3 sacks on his way to earning Great West and Sports Network Defensive Player of the Week honors... finished with 7 tackles, 2.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 breakups, and 7 quarterback hurries in a 35-10 win vs. Idaho State… posted 7 tackles, 2 for loss, 3 sacks, and 2 quarterback hurries in a 20-10 win vs. Southern Utah.
Finished with 8 tackles, 1 for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 1 quarterback hurry against South Dakota State… posted 9 tackles, 3 for loss, and 2 sacks against Sacramento State… collected 3 tackles, 2 for loss, and 1 sack in a 27-10 loss against Troy… 98 total tackles (46 solo) with school-record 23.5 sacks and 31.0 tackles for lost yardage... 6 tackles, 4.0 for loss, 3.0 sacks and one forced fumble in playoff game against Montana... has 42.0 career sacks, 1.5 sacks shy of career mark set by Tom Carey (1985-88)... tallied 4 pass breakups and 14 quarterback hurries… forced 4 fumbles and had 2 fumble recoveries.
2004 SEASON
Moved from nose tackle to end on the defensive front ... started on the defensive line for the second straight year ... started all 11 games and led the nation in sacks with 17.5 for 109 yards ... finished second in the nation in tackles for lost yardage with 21.5 for 125 yards... Buck Buchanan Award candidate, finished second in balloting to teammate Jordan Beck… fourth on the team in total tackles with 71, including 48 solo stops ... notched third career interception and also had one pass breakup, one fumble recovery, one blocked kick and two forced fumbles... helped Cal Poly's defense finish third in nation in rushing defense, ninth in scoring defense and 41st in total defense ... postseason honors include The Sports Network All-America First Team Defense, Walter Camp Football Foundation All-American, College Sports Report.com Defensive Lineman of the Year (First Team Defense), I-AA.org All-Star Team, Football Gazette All-West Region Team (First Team Defense) and Great West Football Conference First Team Defense.
2003 SEASON
Started all 11 games as a sophomore at nose tackle ... one of the primary reasons Cal Poly finished 24th in the nation in rushing defense, No. 29 in total defense and 39th in scoring defense ... eighth on the team in total tackles with 37, including 20 solo tackles ... eight tackles for lost yardage, including one sack against Southern Utah ... pair of pass breakups ... career-high seven tackles against Montana and five tackles in four other games ... two tackles for lost yardage against both Akron and Southern Utah ... played in 2004 Spring Game, recording one assisted tackle.
2002 SEASON
Redshirted.
2001 SEASON
Saw action in his first year with the Mustangs... played in six games as a true freshman... six tackles, including a pair against Cal State North-ridge... one of those tackles was a solo stop for a loss... also had tackles against Weber State, Western Washington and Alcorn State. High School -- A 2001 graduate of Carpinteria High, where he was a three-year letterwinner in football for coach Coley Candaele (Cal Poly Å’94)... starting quarterback and linebacker... tallied 180 tackles as a junior and 150 as a senior... scored 11 touchdowns and tossed four touchdown passes as a senior... also a standout in track and field... set school record in the discus (183 feet, 3 inches)... two-time all-league in discus and shot put as well as linebacker in football... two-time All-CIF-Southern Section linebacker... a Golden State scholar.
PERSONAL
Son of Bruce and Julie Kennedy... one brother, Ryan, who is a member of the Claremont-McKenna College football team near Pomona... lists guitar playing as his hobby... born Nov. 16, 1983, in Lancaster, CA... majors in general engineering.
What They're Saying ..
"He's just so strong and plays so relentless; I can't find anything wrong with his game. He's the Energizer Bunny out there. It doesn't matter if it's snap one or 101; he's always going the same speed. He's one of the most amazing guys I've seen in college football."
- Sacramento State head coach Steve Mooshagian
"He's just got that unbelievable motor. He goes hard on every down of every game, all the time. He's not afraid to do whatever it takes to get to the quarterback and he does it without regard to his own health or safety. He's an amazing player."
- Montana State head coach Mike Kramer
"He's a nice player. The way he's able to get to quarterbacks is pretty impressive, even with all of the stuff they throw at him. He's a good football player. He'll get drafted by somebody, no doubt about it."
- an NFL scout
"He's an excellent player and we knew that coming in. I would have to say he's better than I thought."
- North Dakota State head coach Craig Bohl
"He's an amazing pass rusher. He knows just when you're off-balance and when to spin and rip through. He's a really good player."
- North Dakota State tight end A.J. Cooper
"He may be the best defensive player we've faced all year. When they got us into throwing situations, he showed how dynamic he can be off the ball. He's just a special player."
- Montana head coach Bobby Hauck
The Draft Scout family wishes Chris Gocong all the best!
