5. DE Jonathan Kongbo III
Okay, this one is a bit obvious. Kongbo, who will arrive in Knoxville this summer, was the crown jewel of Tennessee’s 2016 recruiting class. The JUCO transfer is a major cog in a threatening arsenal of Tennessee defensive linemen. Kongbo is a versatile player. He can come off the edge in the pass rush or use his strength to muscle his way into the inside of the line to stop the run.
Kongbo, a 6-foot-5 defensive end, is the perfect replacement for Curt Maggitt. Kongbo has a strong inside move in the pass rush. Combine that with an outside move from Kahlil McKenzie or Shy Tuttle, and Tennessee could have a field day rushing the passer. Bob Shoop will have an array of options in how to use Kongbo, given his size and athleticism. By himself, Kongbo is a threat, but alongside Tennessee’s returning defensive lineman, he has the potential to be a superstar.
