Goff to Wear Jersey Honoring Doster

Goff to Wear Jersey Honoring Doster

8/30/2006

Nashville, Tenn. — Vanderbilt junior defensive captain Jonathan Goff has been selected by teammates to wear a special jersey patch honoring the memory of former Commodore tailback Kwane Doster.

Goff, a linebacker from Salem, Mass., who earned preseason All-SEC consideration earlier this month by league coaches and media, will become the first player to wear the patch, Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson said. The coach, who informed the squad of Goff’s selection after practice Tuesday, said a player will be voted to wear the Doster patch each year throughout his Vanderbilt coaching career.

Doster, SEC Freshman of the Year in 2002, was killed by gunfire in his Tampa hometown on Dec. 26, 2004.  Last year, the entire Commodore squad paid tribute to Doster by wearing a “DOT 1” helmet decal.

“Jonathan is a perfect choice to honor Kwane. He is a great teammate, academically responsible and has a dedicated type of leadership. Personality wise, they might be opposites, but for his leadership qualities and dedication to his teammates, it was a perfect pick.
 
The designated circular patch features Vanderbilt star logo through Doster’s No. 1, surrounded by the initials “KD.” It will appear on Goff’s left upper chest, just above the “C” recognizing the linebacker’s status as a team captain.

Goff became one of the Commodores’ top defenders as a sophomore in 2005, ranking third on the team with 63 total tackles. He was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Kentucky and concluded the campaign with a 10-tackle effort in the win at Tennessee.

Goff, a native of the Boston area, is working toward a degree in mechanical engineering.