Burnet football’s Goehring to become a Howard Payne Yellow Jacket

CAPTION: Burnet senior linebacker Adler Goehring (seated, center) signs his National Letter of Intent to play football for Howard Payne University surrounded by his mother Jamie (seated, left) father Clay and sister Ainsley (standing) as Burnet head coach Ben Speers speaks to the crowd. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

Burnet High School senior Adler Goehring recently signed to play football for Howard Payne University in Brownwood.

“It is close to home,” he said. “I got into the recruiting process late, and it was one of my few options and I also picked it because I’ll be going with our running back (Josiah Coronado). The coaches made it feel like it was more about the players than the team, less business more team culture.”

Goehring was recruited as a linebacker. 

Bulldogs head coach Ben Speer said Goehring really began considering playing college football a year earlier and showed his commitment to achieving that goal.

“Start with his work ethic,” he said. “The guy just absolutely worked. In the weight room, he increased his strength tremendously and then ran track and decreased his 40(-yard dash) time. He just worked hard on anything, really worked for us.”

The athlete spent part of the 2024 summer attending football camps where he showed college coaches what he could do and caught their attention. Speer indicated those endeavors fueled Goehring’s desire to play on the next level. 

“He got some interest doing that,” he said. “He had some good numbers on speed and strength as well.”

Last season, he had 124 tackles with 51 solo tackles to lead the Bulldogs and had a sack and three quarterback hurries.

“He made all-district all while missing a couple of games for us,” the coach said. “He still had those numbers.”

Speer indicated the athlete was a student of the game by asking questions and absorbing film sessions, scouting reports and anything that he could use to help him perform at his absolute best. 

“His learning and understanding of the game has just really developed since he was a freshman,” he said. “He was a backup freshman outside linebacker who wouldn’t talk. And he went from that point in his career to a senior and calling the defense and being a captain and it’s just a celebration of who he is and how far he’s come and the work he keeps putting in – it’s so great to see it validated and the love for the game. And he gets to continue to play.” 

Speer said Goehring’s commitment extended to how he handled his business away from the athletic facilities.

“In the classroom he’s done a great job with his academics, and that helps with recruiting,” he said. “He’s not going be a(n) (academic) problem and they can get him on an academic scholarship; that’s an easy draw for those kids.”

Goehring has represented the Burnet community as a powerlifting and showing animals.

Before offering, Howard Payne coaches contacted Speer to learn more.

“They really liked his film and all the accolades that come with that,” he said. 

The son of Jamie and Clay Goehring will major in biology.

“We’re excited for him,” Speer said. “Anyone who gets to go continue their playing career, that just excites us, because those guys get to continue to do what they love and then get an education along the way. I think it’s just phenomenal for them to be able to do that.”

CAPTION: Burnet linebacker Adler Goehring (33) was one of several Bulldogs representing the community at the second annual Hill Country Coaches Association football game May 9 in Wimberley. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro