1. Jonathan Kongbo (RS So.), Defensive Line
The Arizona Western College transfer was ranked the No.1 overall JUCO player in the country in the 2016 class.
The Vols were able to hold off Ole Miss and others in a recruiting battle that went all the way into the afternoon on National Signing Day. Kongbo has all the potential to be an absolute monster on the defensive side, as he is 6’6”, 270 lbs. He’s strong and plays with ruthless aggression. Recently he was measured as the fastest defensive lineman on the team with a top speed of 18.4 mph, according to GPS trackers UT uses.
Tennessee’s defensive line looks to be stacked, which allows defensive line coach Steve Stripling the luxury of rotating more guys. Kongbo has already impressed with his size and athleticism during fall camp. Bob Shoop has mentioned that Kongbo is versatile enough to play as an edge rusher or as a defensive tackle on third-down situations. With Shy Tuttle still not at 100%, look for a McKenzie-Kongbo rotation early on in the trenches, especially on third downs. While Kongbo may not be an immediate starter, he looks to be projected as being in the two-deep rotation. He will be a nightmare for offensive lines to guard and prove his top ranking.
