Mike Goolsby

Goolsby attended and played high school football at Joliet Catholic Academy in Joliet, Illinois, where he was a four-year letterman as a linebacker and tight end.[2] Goolsby was a three-year varsity starter. During his senior season, in 1999, Goolsby was named a consensus All-American after being named to the Reebok, Parade and USA Today AA teams. In his first three seasons he produced 210 tackles, nine sacks, nine tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, three interceptions. In 1999 Joliet Catholic Academy posted a record of 14-0 resulting in an eighth football state championship. While in high school Goolsby was timed at 10.8 in the 100 meters and 23.2 in the 200 meters.[2]

Goolsby also earned eight letters in other sports, including three in basketball, three in track and field.[2]

As a freshman at the University of Notre Dame in 2000, Goolsby was one of three true freshman to earn a monogram.[2] The following season, he was a fixture on all phases of special teams for the Irish.[2] In 2002, Goolsby was finally named a starter. Starting all 13 games as an inside linebacker. For the season, he made 75 tackles (48 solos) to rank third on the team in total tackles. He led the team in tackles for loss with 13 (48 yards) and had four quarterback sacks for 21 yards. He also forced a fumble and intercepted a pass, in addition to breaking up three passes. In his first career start, he led the team in tackles against Maryland with a then career-high eight tackles (two for losses, including his first career sack).[2] In his second game as a starter Goolsby led the Irish in tackles versus Purdue with a career-high 11 tackles (including three tackles for loss), forced a fumble and broke up two passes.[2] Following the regular season Goolsby was one of the country's leaders in tackles for loss. While playing in the 2004 Gator Bowl, he suffered a broken clavicle.[2]

Goolsby missed the entire 2003 while healing from a torn labrum and a second consecutive broken clavicle.[2]

Prior to his 2004 senior season, Goolsby was named to the Pre-Season Butkus Watch list The Butkus Award. He wound up leading the Irish in tackles with 97 and was named the Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week after Notre Dame defeated University of Tennessee and Tennessee on the road before 107,266 in Knoxville, Tenn. Goolsby recorded a season-high 14 tackles (7 solo) and added one sack to lead the Fighting Irish defensive unit. However, it was Goolsby's 26-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter that gave Notre Dame (6-3) the lead for good.

Goolsby went undrafted and signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Goolsby was the second highest paid undrafted free agent following the 2005 NFL Draft.