Goodson hopes Web site helps draw interest

As an All-American tight end and one of the nation's leading receivers, Ray Goodson has put together the kind of college football career that, were he playing for a major program, would virtually assure his name of being known across the country.

But since Goodson toils in relative obscurity at Division I-AA Southeast Missouri State University, he realizes that not very many people outside of the immediate area probably are familiar with his exploits.

So the former Jackson High School star decided to take matters into his own hands. With the help of his family and a Web master in Utah, Goodson has his own Web site -- www.raygoodson.com -- which started up about a month ago.

"It's to get my name out to everybody so everybody in the country knows my name," Goodson said.

Goodson, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound senior, said he first toyed with the idea after surfing the net and seeing various college players from bigger programs with their own Web sites.

"I saw those and I thought that might be a good thing for a kid from a smaller school," he said.

The rest, said Goodson, was taken care of by his mother, Tammie.

"My mom pretty well did it all," he said. "She knows a lady in Utah who puts together Web sites and she got a hold of her. She put it all together, and my mom calls her to update the stats."

Asked how much the entire operation sets him back financially, a laughing Goodson said, "I don't actually know. My mom handles all of it, but I don't think it's too bad."

And Goodson said the Web site, which features a home page with biographical information, a photo gallery page, a statistics page and a page with contact information, has already attracted quite a bit of attention.

"It's helped a lot," he said. "I've got a lot of scouts who have called me and e-mailed me."

Goodson, who caught 66 passes for 623 yards last year to earn All-American honors, so far is living up to his preseason All-American status this year. In five games, he has caught 32 passes for 359 yards. He ranks third in the Ohio Valley Conference and 18th nationally among I-AA players in receptions per game.

"I want to have a shot at playing pro ball, and I figure anything will help, which is one of the reasons I wanted the Web site," said Goodson.

Of course, Goodson -- who had arthroscopic knee surgery on Wednesday during Southeast's bye week to repair a torn meniscus but hopes to be ready for the Indians' next game Saturday night at home against Eastern Kentucky -- has received his share of good-natured ribbing from teammates.

"I get a lot of crap from them about the Web site, but it's helping me," he said.

With his blend of size, athletic ability and soft hands -- probably more than his Web site -- Goodson indeed figures to attract his share of attention from NFL scouts.

While he welcomes that, Goodson is more intent right now on helping the Indians (1-4, 1-1 OVC) right a struggling ship and finish the rest of the season strong.

"I still think we'll be all right," he said.

And Goodson's exploits will continue to be posted for the world to see.

Noteworthy

• Southeast junior wide receiver T.J. Milcic's 13 receptions during last Saturday's 35-28 loss at Eastern Illinois just missed Southeast's single-game record of 14, set by Farron Haley in 1989.

Milcic has 17 receptions -- for 234 yards -- in the last two games and has emerged as one of the Indians' top threats in the passing game. For the season, he has caught 20 passes for 273 yards and is fourth in the OVC in receptions per game. Milcic caught 20 passes all of last year.

"T.J. is really playing well," Southeast coach Tim Billings said. "He's become a big weapon for us."