Former Cerritos College football player Deon Goggins, who just completed his college career at Syracuse University, has signed a free agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Goggins' 53 tackles were the most for a defensive lineman this season for the Orange, while he also had 8.5 tackles for a loss and one fumble recovery. Against Rutgers, he had a career-best 11 tackles. Goggins was nominated for the AFCA Good Works team, which honors college football players for their off-the-field dedication to making a difference in their communities.

Goggins had an impressive performance in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 19th at the Home Depot Center in Carson. Goggins was a member of the National team, which defeated the American team, 34-0. Goggins recorded three tackles, including two solo, two for a loss of four yards and one sack for a loss of three yards. He also forced and recovered a fumble. The fumble he recovered eventually led to a touchdown for the national team.

After his sophomore season with the Falcons, where he posted 37 tackles, with 9.5 tackles for loss, eight quarterback sacks and six hurries, Goggins was a 1st  Team All-Conference selection and was signed by the Orange. He served as a red-shirt in 2010, but went on to start 11 of 12 games his junior year in 2011. As a senior this past season, Goggins started all 13 games, andf was part of a defensive line that ranked sixth nationally in tackles for loss per game. Against West Virginia in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, he recorded two tackles, including one solo and one tackle for a loss of four yards.

Goggins (6-1, 274) will be trying to add to a very young Falcons defensive tackle group that has four players with less than two years of experience. Last season, the Atlanta won the NCF South Division, but were defeated by San Francisco in the NCF Championship Game.

It was a banner year for community college players, with seven being drafted in the first round and 23 being drafted overall.

Photo courtesy of Syracuse University Athletics