Jonathan Goff Jonathan Goff ( born December 12 , 1985 ) is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent . He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft . He played college football at Vanderbilt . He has also been a member of the Washington Redskins . Early years . Jonathan Goff was born to Gwendolyn Tyre and Tobie Goff in Atlanta , Georgia . He was raised by his mother in Stoneham , Massachusetts , with his older brother , Jason . Goff grew up swimming and playing soccer , tennis and basketball . Goff qualified for the Johns Hopkins Gifted and Talented student program based on SAT scores received when he was twelve years old . He began playing football in the 8th grade in the Wakefield ( Massachusetts ) Pop Warner League . Goff played high school football at St . John ' s Preparatory School in Danvers , Massachusetts , an academic and all - male private high school . During his career he started at many positions including safety , wide receiver , quarterback , running back , and linebacker . In football , he was a two - year captain and an All - conference selection in 2001 and 2002 . He also played basketball and was captain of the track team , where he succeeded immensely , breaking a longstanding record in the discus . His senior year , he broke St . John ' s long standing discus record and later that season , he broke his own discus record . College career . Goff played college football at Vanderbilt University . He played in 46 games with 36 starts , recording 307 tackles , 15 . 5 tackles for losses , 6 . 5 sacks , three interceptions , three forced fumble s , and one blocked kick . As a senior in 2007 , he was Second - team All - Southeastern Conference , team captain , leading the squad for the 2nd straight year with a career - high 113 tackles ( 61 solo ) , ranking 4th in the conference with an average of 9 . 42 tackles per game . He Had 3 sacks , 6 . 5 stops for losses and 6 quarterback pressures and he deflected 5 passes and picked off 2 others for 12 yards in returns . In 2006 Goff was a defensive captain and started every game at middle linebacker , extending career consecutive start streak to 27 games . He was named Second - team All - Southeastern Conference he topped Commodores with 67 solo tackles and 93 total tackles , and ranked among team leaders with four quarterback hurries ( T - 1st ) , six tackles for loss ( T - 5th ) , 2 . 5 quarterback sacks ( 5th ) and two forced fumbles ( T - 3rd In 2005 he concluded season as team ' s third leading tackler with 47 solo stops and 63 total tackles including tackles for loss ( 3 ) and quarterback hurries ( 2 ) and sack and two defensed passes . In 2004 he played in every game , starting final four outings at middle linebacker . In 2003 he redshirted . Goff graduated in December 2007 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering . Professional career . New York Giants . Goff was drafted by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft . On November 13 , 2009 , Goff recorded his first career interception on a pass by Donovan McNabb against the Philadelphia Eagles . In the Giants ' game against the Washington Redskins the following week , Goff recorded his first career sack , against quarterback Jason Campbell . In 2010 , he became the starting middle linebacker . He tore his right anterior cruciate ligament during practice prior to week 1 , ending his 2011 season . Washington Redskins . Goff signed with the Washington Redskins on April 30 , 2012 . He is expected to switch from the middle linebacker position from the Giants ' 4 - 3 defense to an inside linebacker position for the Redskins ' 3 - 4 defense . On July 28 , 2012 , Goff tore the same ACL that he tore in the 2011 season making him miss the entire 2012 season , as well as a consecutive second season . Two days later the Redskins waived him .