The good news for Marquise Goodwin, the track athlete, is that he will represent his country in the upcoming world track championships.
The bad news for Marquise Goodwin, the football player, is that situation puts his availability for the Longhorns’ opener very much up in the air.
Goodwin won the long jump title at the USA outdoor national championships Saturday afternoon with a winning leap, and personal best, of 27' 4". That win qualifies Goodwin for the the IAAF World Championships in Korea.
The only problem? The meet is scheduled for Aug. 27 through Sept. 4, with the long jump finals, if Goodwin makes it that far, coming in the evening of Sept. 2. UT will open their 2011 football season on Sept. 3 against Rice.
So, yeah, that might cause an issue,
“I’m just glad I have (the) opportunity to represent the USA,” he said according to the San Antonio Express-News. “I will talk to them when the time comes and figure that all out, but I’m just blessed to represent my country.”
Given the amount of training that goes into competing at the world level, and given the tight time frame in which Goodwin has to work, it would seem highly unlikely that he’d be available for the opener.
Goodwin started seven games for the ‘Horns last season, and exited spring practice as the projected starter at one of the receiver spots. Goodwin’s 31 receptions last season were good for fourth on the team.