Gooden, Scout.com's No. 68 safety, now favors Missouri slightly over Oklahoma State, Kansas, Oklahoma and Iowa State. In November, Kansas had been tied with Missouri for the lead. All of his favorites have offered, plus several others.

"Right now it's still pretty close, but Missouri is my number one," Gooden said. "I like how their secondary plays and that they blitz a lot. I feel like I'd be able to fit in well there. They really have a great defense and I like how they use their safety William Moore. They just let him loose and when I see him play I think to myself that could be me in a few years."

He says that Missouri is recruiting him the hardest and he'll be visiting the Tigers officially on Jan. 18. "They said they are recruiting me as an athlete, but I told them I want to play safety and they said that's fine."

Gooden will be taking his first official visit on Jan. 11 to Oklahoma State. The Cowboys are recruiting him as a defensive back. "They've got some really cool coaches there," he said. "I like what they are doing with the program. They've got new facilities and I feel like they'll be really good in the near future. Plus, I really like my chances to play early there."

On Jan. 25 Gooden visits Oklahoma. "Oklahoma is a powerhouse," he said. "They are always really good and I was just excited when they finally offered. I really like coach Bob Stoops."

While the Sooners loss to West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl did nothing to change Gooden's opinion, he admitted he was surprised by the result. "I really thought the score would be the other way around," he admitted. "I thought OU would kill West Virginia. I had to stop watching the game. It just seemed that West Virginia was more intense and wanted it more."

Gooden's final official visit will be to Iowa State on Feb. 2. "I like coach Gene Chizik," he said. "He's a mastermind. He's one of the best coaches in the country. Also, I'd get early playing time there and they are an up-and-coming program so I'd have a chance to really help them out and be part of something special."

Both the Hawkeyes and Sooners are recruiting Gooden as a safety, while Kansas wants him as a defensive back. "I haven't spoke with the Kansas coaches in a while," he admitted. "I'm not sure what's up, but I'd still really like to fit in a visit with them too. They are definitely still up there."

With so many late official visits scheduled, don't expect Gooden to commit anytime soon. "I probably will wait to make a decision," he said. "It'll probably be just before signing day.

"I'm looking at the coaching staff and the campus overall," he said. "I want a good environment and atmosphere for football and to find a place I like being at. I'd also like to get on the field early and contribute."

Gooden reports a 3.7 core GPA and an 880 SAT.