"Built for the Battle: The Pancake Master’s Path of Strength, Spirit, and a Fire That Won’t Be Moved"

Camden Goforth

@camden_goforth

IG: @Camgoforth07

6’4”, 295lbs, Class of 2026

McMinn County HS, TN

Committed to West Virginia University

If toughness had a face and power wore pads, it would look like Camden Goforth. He is a fierce, country-strong interior lineman with a relentless motor and a brand of grit you don’t see often anymore. Camden is the anchor you build an offense around. Quick-footed for his size and dominant on first contact, he delivers punch with purpose and finishes every rep with a power. With a jaw-dropping 108.5 pancakes last season, it’s not hard to see why he’s earned the nickname Pancake Master, but that stat doesn’t even scratch the surface of what he brings. His technique in pass protection has improved considerably, thanks to increased reps and a transition from tackle to guard. He’s explosive, mobile, and violent with his hands. And before the snap, he’s already dissecting the defense, watching for shifts, seeking weak points, and preparing to strike.

Camden is known for a high level of aggression and a certain nastiness at the line of scrimmage that makes defenders second-guess showing up. His fuel is the hunger to dominate. He doesn’t just play to win, he plays to make a statement while sending a message. That edge, that chip on his shoulder, was built long before the offers started rolling in. Before the rankings and recognition, Camden was an under-the-radar monster, the kind of player who made believers out of anyone who dared to line up against him. “I viewed every day as I had everything to prove,” he said. “People said I played with a chip on my shoulder. I knew I had to play with an edge to get coaches’ attention.” And play with an edge he did. That blue-collar mentality never left him. If anything, it’s only grown stronger.

But it wasn’t easy. His confidence was tested often, watching other linemen grab early attention while he kept grinding in silence. “Comparison is a thief,” he learned. “I had to show I was capable of playing D1 ball without letting that stuff shake me.” Camden took every bit of negativity, the whispers, the doubt, the ones who overlooked him, and used it to fuel his inner fire. “I had to push to overcome myself. I faced a lot of negativity… things that will be etched in my memory. But I wasn’t going to let the noise stop me.” Behind the scenes, while nobody was watching, he became one of the strongest young athletes in the country, setting school records in nearly every major lift: 655 back squat, 675 deadlift, 330 clean, 365 bench, and more. Strength, both physical and mental, became his calling card.

Eventually, the spotlight found him. Offers rolled in. Coaches noticed. “It was amazing,” he said. “As the levels of offers increased, it felt like all the hard work was being validated.” But Camden never lost sight of the bigger picture. Through it all, his family stood right by his side, sacrificing, supporting, and investing in his dream. “We’re a close family. My parents have sacrificed a lot for me, travel, film, everything. I couldn’t do it without them.” That support extended beyond football, into faith, into purpose, and into a mindset far deeper than pancakes and rankings.

Because for Camden, it all begins and ends with God. His faith is the foundation of everything he does. “Every day is a gift. Football ends. Careers end. Life ends. You have to keep God first, it’s the eternal part of your life. God allowed me to walk this path, and I give Him all the glory. My life has to reflect Jesus, even when I drift, I know I need to get things in check, because my witness is bigger than football.” It’s rare to hear a young man speak with such clarity and conviction. Camden knows what matters. He’s grounded in something stronger than hype. “God’s plan is always the best plan,” he said. “I had a dream… but He had a path so much bigger than I ever imagined.”

When West Virginia came calling, it just felt different. “It was the effort they put into recruiting me,” he explained. “You have to ask yourself, ‘Where do I belong?’ WVU proved a lot. Coach Bicknell and Coach Rodriguez weren’t just giving speeches, they were real. There’s fire in that staff. They’re building something special.” Now committed, Camden can finally focus on what matters most: school, his family, his team, and enjoying the game he loves in its purest form. “It was like a huge weight lifted off of me and my family,” he said.

But make no mistake, the fire is still burning. “You stay hungry because you’re not there yet. I’ve still got to prove myself. I want to be the best lineman to ever play, and you don’t get there by letting up.” His goals this season aren’t just numbers. He’s chasing impact, legacy, and consistency. “I don’t know how many pancakes I’ll have, but I guarantee the same intensity every snap.”

Looking ahead, Camden sees himself making an impact at WVU. and beyond. “I’ll have the intensity and drive to push for the next level,” he said. With the pressure off, he’s ready to embrace every moment and pour everything into his final high school season.

And to the next wave of players behind him, Camden offers this: “Be a light. Don’t lose focus on what matters. Lift others up. Take time to encourage others. Walk a different path.”

From the beginning, I believed in him. I saw the strength, the work ethic, and the purpose long before the rest of the world caught on. We didn’t get Big Orange, but we got something better, God’s plan. And I’m beyond proud to call Camden a friend. And I love his church and pastor too

Camden’s blend of physical strength, mental toughness, and spiritual grounding makes him a special kind of lineman, the kind who can anchor a college front and elevate those around him. His technique, mobility, and raw power give him college-ready traits, but it’s his attitude, discipline, and unwavering faith that will make the biggest impact at West Virginia and beyond.

Expect Camden to be a difference-maker from day one. His combination of aggression, footwork, and weight room dominance is rare, and his commitment to staying humble and hungry sets him apart. His ceiling isn’t just college success, it’s pro potential. And with the foundation he’s built, don’t be surprised when you see him playing on Sundays. Stay tuned.