Evan Goodwin

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-7, 325 lbs. Taller than 75% and heavier than 93% of 2026 Offensive Tackle prospects in the SEC Scouts database (182 with a listed size).

Play Style

Goodwin is a big, long left tackle who wins with reach and positioning in pass protection. He uses his arm length to get his hands on rushers early and keep them wide of the pocket. In the run game he is more effective moving than blocking straight ahead: he looks comfortable pulling or climbing to linebackers and gets movement when he arrives. His straight-ahead drive blocking is still developing, and he tends to control defenders more than knock them backward. His wrestling background shows up when he fights through hand contact.

Strengths

• Rare height and length for a tackle: a 6-7 frame with long arms gives him a wide reach in pass protection and lets him steer defenders once he gets his hands on them
• Moves well for his size: 247 notes he 'flashes some pop when traveling as a puller or climber,' so he can pull and reach second-level linebackers, which fits gap and zone run schemes
• Plays at a playable weight: he carries 320-325 lb well and should not need a long weight-gain year before competing for snaps
• Can play more than one spot: he played left tackle in high school, and scouts project him to right tackle with the option to move inside to guard, which gives SMU depth flexibility early
• His wrestling background shows up in hand fighting, balance and leverage in close-quarters battles

Areas to Improve

• Power at the point of attack: 247 says his down-block and drive-block strength needs work. Against college defensive linemen he has to turn his size into consistent movement off the ball, which means improving leg drive, pad level and hip roll
• Pad level and footwork against speed: very tall tackles tend to rise out of their stance. Against quick, bendy edge rushers he needs to keep a low, balanced pass set and be able to recover to the inside
• Level of competition: he played in Arkansas's smaller-school classifications (Pulaski Academy, then Bauxite for his senior year), so he rarely faced high-major defensive linemen every week. Expect a technical adjustment period

College Projection

He enrolled at SMU for 2026 as part of a highly regarded offensive-line class with Drew Evers and Pupungatoa Katoa, recruited by head coach Rhett Lashlee and offensive-line coach Garin Justice. The most likely path is a development or redshirt year in 2026, using the four-game redshirt allowance, while he builds strength. He should compete for a starting job at right tackle in 2027, with guard as a backup plan if the tackle depth chart is crowded. If his power develops as expected, he looks like a 2-3 year starter by his redshirt sophomore season.

NFL Outlook

His draft potential rests on his frame. Tackles at 6-7 and 320-plus lb with legitimate length are the size NFL teams screen for, and 247's evaluation calls him a possible 'multi-year starter with pro upside.' Whether he becomes a draft pick depends on two things: turning his size into consistent power at the point of attack, and keeping his pass sets balanced against speed rushers. If he becomes a productive multi-year right tackle at SMU, a Day 3 selection is realistic, and his strength and technique gains will determine whether he climbs higher. Guard flexibility helps his NFL value as a swing lineman.

Best Fit

A pro-style or multiple offense that asks its tackles both to pass-protect on an island and to pull and climb in gap or zone runs. That fits SMU's offense well. The ideal situation is a program with a patient strength staff and enough veteran line depth to give him a development year before he has to start. His best long-term position is right tackle, and he can move inside to guard if needed.