From touchdown to Come on Down?

Former Slippery Rock University wide receiver and graduate Devin Goda is making that transition work.

A 6-foot-3, 225-pound football player, Goda was a big target for Rock quarterbacks from 2008 through 2011. He ranks third all-time at The Rock with 2,259 career receiving yards and 173 career receptions.

Goda's 75 catches for 1,028 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior remains one of the most productive seasons ever put together by a receiver at SRU.

He received looks from a number of NFL teams.

Now he's receiving a number of looks from TV viewers nationwide — as a male model on the Price is Right.

“I never envisioned anything like this,” said Goda, who majored in safety management at The Rock. “When I was in college, I envisioned myself playing in the NFL.

“That was my goal. That's what I was working toward.”

He had his chances.

After being bypassed in the 2012 NFL draft, Goda signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Ravens. He played in three preseason games before failing to survive the final roster cut.

He wound up in NFL camps with Atlanta, Green Bay and Dallas, but could not land a job.

“I wasn't quite ready to give up, but then an opportunity came up doing some modeling and acting in New York City,” Goda said. “I decided to pursue it.”

The move did not surprise former SRU head football coach George Mihalik.

“I used to tease him about it when he was here,” Mihalik said of Goda. “I'd tell him we should drop this football stuff and go to New York. You can be the model and I'll be your agent.

“Devin was a nice-looking young man and his body is ripped ... See what our strength and conditioning program can do for a guy?,” Mihalik added, laughing.

Goda went to New York, spoke with an agency and was hired. In 2013, he began doing commercial print ads, magazines, catalogs and TV commericials with a number of major brands.

“Once my name and face got out there ... things just sort of took off,” Goda said.

A few months ago, Goda heard from a talent agency in Miami that the Price is Right was looking for a male model.

“The agency asked if I'd be interested in auditioning, that they could set it up,” he said. “I figured, why not? They flew me to Los Angeles, I did three or four auditions and was offered the job.

“I've been doing the show for a couple of months now.”

Goda's career goals have changed as a result.

Still living in New York City, he plans to move to Los Angeles in January. Goda hopes to land a few TV acting roles, either in movies, crime dramas or soap operas.

Right now, he flies to Los Angeles for three days each week to tape the Price is Right shows.

“Those are long days,” he said. “We tape two shows per day after going through a rehearsal for each one. Depending on how the contestants handle themselves, it usually takes 90 minutes to tape a show, sometimes longer.”

Shows are taped Mondays through Wednesdays, three weeks before actually airing. Following the Wednesday tapings, the show's cast and production crew get together at a local lounge to have drinks, dinner “and just get to know each other better,” Goda said.

“It's a close-knit group. Drew Carey comes along with us, too. He knows I want to get into acting and he's talked to me about it, helped me with contacts, giving me direction. He's a great guy.”

No matter how his acting career may develop, Goda hopes to stay on the Price is Right.

“Some of the (female) models have been with the show for 10 years. I'd love to do that,” he said.

Mihalik joked that the show “puts Devin in a bathing suit” at least once an episode.

“They like to show him off,” the coach said. “Devin's grown comfortable with that show after a short time. We always watch him.”

Goda keeps his eyes on The Rock as well.

He watched SRU's playoff win over LIU Post last week on his computer.

“I played on the (2011) team that won the (PSAC) West and lost the state game to Kutztown,” Goda said. “That was the team that started our dynasty.”

SRU has won five PSAC West titles in the past eight years, beginning with that 2011 team.

“I'm proud to have played there. My years at Slippery Rock have done a lot for my life,” Goda said.

Carey is from Cleveland. Former SRU lineman Joe LoSchiavo owns a pizza place in that city. Carey enjoys that pizza so much he has it shipped to him in Los Angeles.

“I can confirm that,” Goda said, laughing. “I don't know how often, but he has that pizza sent here.”

While Goda didn't stick in the NFL, Mihalik said the receiver was ahead of his time.

“Devin was a tall receiver, strong and fast,” the coach said. “That's what all of the pro teams are looking for now.

“He grew up in our program. He received an academic scholarship here, he graduated, now he's on his way to an entertainment career. He's the total package. He has it all.

“He's worked for it and we're proud of him,” Mihalik added.