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Around this time last year, the recruitment of several prospects within Valley’s football program started to heat up. Now, it seems like college coaches have found the next big thing for the Rams as Galvin Goss’ recruitment has taken flight over the past few weeks. 

Goss put together a solid season for the Rams on the defensive side last season, finishing with 40 solo tackles, 28 assists, three tackles for loss and two interceptions. Goss then helped the Rams on the basketball court as Valley made a run to the semifinals. 

Goss had to wait for basketball season to end to kick his recruitment into high gear, but his phone has been blowing up ever since. 

“A couple of coaches have been reaching out, I’ve been going to a couple of camps, and as you can see, I’ve gotten two offers in two weeks,” Goss said. “I really wasn’t expecting it, but I’m glad that it’s happening.” 

Since football season ended, Goss has taken a visit to Coastal Carolina, received several camp invitations and has seen interest from college coaches rise each week. Currently, Goss holds offers from Indiana, the University of Tennessee-Martin and Dartmouth College. 

Around this time last year, Valley stars Cam Dooley and Jay Harper started to gain traction and offers from Power Five schools. Now, Dooley is set to play next season for the University of Kentucky while Harper is set to play for Wisconsin. 

Valley also saw Brandon Thomas and Ian Crim-Davis sign to play for the University of Louisiana-Monroe and Morehouse College respectively earlier this year.

Goss marks the next wave of athletes to potentially play at the next level for the Rams. The four football players who signed before Goss have helped him with the process, and they have served as motivation for him to get to the next level. 

“They’ve been telling me that my time is coming,” Goss said. “They just told me to keep working and stay focused. It’s really motivating. Just showed me that it can be done. Guys that I go to school with and practice with every day doing the same thing that I want to do.” 

Goss has followed the blueprint that the 2024 graduating class created, including being a part of the same training programs. Goss has worked with the Birmingham-based training group, All Gas, which Dooley and Harper were also a part of. 

All Gas works with skill players all throughout the South, and the group has played a huge role in getting athletes from Valley exposure. 

“Coach [Adrian] Steele with All Gas has been a really big help for me,” Goss said. “He’s helped us get a lot of exposure. He’s really helped me with my footwork and being better in man coverage.” 

The recruitment process is a new experience for Goss, but he has been an experienced part of Valley’s program. Goss has started on Valley’s defense since he was a freshman. Heading into his senior season, Goss is only going to have more attention and expectations coming his way. 

Goss is early in the recruitment process, but he has started to build solid relationships with college coaches.

Goss has had conversations with Aashon Larkins, the defensive backs coach at Dartmouth, and he feels good about their relationship. 

Goss has spent the majority of his time in high school playing safety, but next season he will play a lot more on the offensive side. Goss expects to play on the defensive side in college, but he is open to other opportunities. 

“I’ll probably end up playing safety, but I would play safety or corner. It really doesn’t matter,” Goss said. “I played offense coming through middle school and in rec. I have experience playing offense, but since high school I really haven’t had to play offense. I’m good with playing offense. I’ll embrace it.” 

Goss has taken very few snaps on offense at Valley High School. Goss has been able to fully focus on honing his abilities at defensive back, and that has turned him into one of the more refined athletes in the area. 

Most of Goss’ time in practice is spent with Valley defensive coordinator and basketball coach Marshon Harper. Harper runs the recruiting for the football team, and he has played a huge role in Goss’ development. 

“Even when we don’t have team practice, he’ll get us together and help us go through drills,” Goss said. “He’s took me to practice a couple of times in Montgomery. He’s just been there for us.” 

Goss is taking the recruiting process day-by-day, and he is in no rush to come to a decision. However, Goss has figured out the most important things for him when making a decision about his athletic future. Goss is also prepared to work for a starting spot. 

“I’m really just looking for a good education, somewhere that makes me feel like I’m at home,” Goss said. “I would love to play as a freshman. I really don’t have a problem with having to wait a year.”
The college uniform that Goss will wear after he graduates in 2025 is still very much up in the air, but there is little doubt that he is next up at Valley High School.