C.J. GOODWIN

WHEELING — It’s no secret anymore. Linsly graduate C.J. Goodwin has become one of the top special teams players in the NFL.

On Tuesday, the Dallas Cowboys proved that by resigning the 31-year old Goodwin to a two-year, $3.5 million contract that features $2 million in guaranteed money.

Goodwin has played three seasons with the Cowboys and has certainly made an impact by appearing in every game for the last two years.

“I feel valued as an individual and I feel my position as a special teams guy is valued,” Goodwin said of what the contract says about him. “I honestly feel like I’ve been making a name for myself for the last few years. I’m making a few plays and I just try to dominate at the position. I feel like I got my evaluation in the deal but any type of money is good money.

“We are bringing in the best pieces at every position and we want to try to make a run this year.”

Goodwin made his presence felt in several ways this past season.

He tallied nine tackles and delivered a tremendous punt return against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where the ball was lateraled to him at his own 5-yard line and he raced 84 yards to the Pittsburgh 11-yard line before getting tripped up.

He also recovered a crucial onside kick against his former team, the Atlanta Falcons, which led to a game-winning field goal as time expired.

“It was a perfect kick,” Goodwin said. “Our kicker is amazing. We usually practice that kick a few times during the week but for some reason that week we practiced it about 30 times.

“I knew where the ball was going and he put it right where he did in practice all week. (The Falcons) had never seen it before and they weren’t going to attack it.

“I had an inkling it was going to happen. I told my teammate on the sideline that I was going to grab it. It was just an amazing kick.”

Making big plays for his team on special teams has not only helped lift the team but it has helped lift Goodwin’s self-confidence, as well, and with the Cowboys losing cornerback Chidobe Awuzie to the Cincinnati Bengals, Goodwin will stay prepared for any time he might see on defense.

“I’ve gotten better at my technique on special teams and my confidence has gone through the roof,” Goodwin said. “That has changed over the last few years. I feel like I’m one of the best at what I do. I still need to have that confidence on defense. I know I don’t play as big of a role on defense but I know I can get there.

“Most of my minutes on defense came against Philly and chasing down Jalen Hurts. But, I know my role and at anytime someone might go down and I’ll have to be ready.”

One teammate of Goodwin’s who helps him prepare on and off the field is cornerback Deante Burton from Kansas State.

“I met him in Atlanta, he came in as a wide receiver and they put him at defensive back,” Goodwin said of Burton. “He worked with me there and he wound up coming to Dallas in my second year here. We both kind of know our roles and I’m glad to have him around.”

Another teammate Goodwin is glad to have returning to Dallas is quarterback Dak Prescott, who recently signed a four-year deal with the team.

“Dak is a great quarterback and a great human being,” Goodwin said. “You can’t let a guy like that slip through your fingers. I’m glad he’s our quarterback for the future and now the team knows what they can get and hopefully we can make a run this year.”

Goodwin says he spent a lot of time traveling so far this offseason and after inking his $3.5 million dollar deal, he plans on spending the rest of the offseason with his kids.