Matt Goldsmith was ready to get back on the playing field for training camp with the Barnstormers in early February. But before the lockdown corner was able to get on the field, he got a call from a man in Ottawa.
Matt Goldsmith Writes Another Chapter, Earns CFL Spot
He came out of Illinois State with 46 tackles in his final season, earning five in each of his last three games. Right out of college, the Barnstormers took a chance on Goldsmith, and oh did it pay off.
Goldsmith acted as the sole ball-hawk in the Barnstormers’ defense. He lead the team in interceptions with five over the season (a big number in the IFL) and added 61 tackles in just 14 games. Goldsmith showed the IFL that he was for real.
Goldsmith sent out his film and played the waiting game, to see if any team would take a chance on him as did the Barnstormers. Two days before training camp started in Iowa, his wait was over. He got a call from the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League.
“I was extremely happy to recieve the opportunity because I had been praying for new opportunities in a higher league and this opportunity came so im just thankful, humbled, and hungry to prove myself,” Goldsmith said.
It’s impossible to not be excited for him, but a little bit of a scare for Assistant Coach Jason Simpson, hearing the news so close to camp. Luckily the team adds a multi-year AFL player back to the lineup in Ter’Ran Benton, so it’s not all bad.
He looked to be a promising player, and his former teammates and coaches only had good things to say.
“I’m excited, Goldsmith was a big part of our team last year we were excited to see him grow this year, Brannen said. “[He’s] also a guy we recruited and we knew he was under the radar, but he may not be here long.”
“[Matt’s] a big corner, he can really run, he has great hips, long arms – everything they’re (CFL) looking for,” Brannen added. “We’re happy as heck for him to get that opportunity, we’d love to have him here obviously, but that’s what this league is good for – guys to showcase their abilities and get to the level they aspire to play with.”
Barnstormers team captain, Javicz Jones, added, “I’m excited for him, that’s the goal for a lot of people in this league, to have fun and win a championship, but also in the back of our minds we want to move up a continue to play at a higher level.”
Obviously everyone was elated for Goldsmith to get an opportunity in a higher league.
Of course Matt had some things to say about Iowa’s coaching staff as well, “I want to thank all of my coaches there especially Coach Joe Brannen for signing me to come play a year out of college with no professional experience, he took a chance on me and I was and still am very appreciative of the opportunity.”
Goldsmith’s move to the CFL right out of Iowa paves way for future athletes too. On one hand, more athletes might get signed out of college, and on the other more IFL players should be checked out by the CFL.
“The Barnstormers are a great organization and I appreciate the opportunity they gave me to come out there and play at the professional level and I know that it prepared me to continue to work my way up the rankings of professional football,” Goldsmith said.
“Honestly there is so many players in the IFL that came from the NFL and CFL and are moving [back] up to those leagues as well,” Goldsmith added. “The IFL definitely has the talent and has proven to move people up to higher leagues so i believe they already have the publicity because people know that if you do well your chances of getting a shot increases.”
The CFL has not yet released its 2016 Schedule, but the Redblacks first preseason game will be in June. For more CFL news and opinion, be sure to follow our CFL coverage at @LastWordOnCFL.
The IFL and the Iowa Barnstormers kick off their season this weekend. Goldsmith followed up his CFL questions with his prediction for the team, “I believe the Barnstormers are in line to compete for the Championship this year, Im predicting a 11-5 regular season record and a championship appearance for the stormers.”
Iowa visits Colorado on Saturday to kick off the season.
