2. Jonathan Kongbo, DE/LB
Phillips needs a big spring, but there’s one more defensive lineman who needs an impressive spring more than him, and that’s Jonathan Kongbo.
Time will tell if Kongbo ends up transitioning to outside linebacker or stays at defensive end. But regardless of where he ends up, Kongbo needs to assert himself in his final spring in Knoxville.
When Butch Jones and his staff were able to ultimately land Kongbo in the 2016 class, fans were ecstatic at the freakish athleticism Kongbo brought to the defense. But so far in his Tennessee career, he hasn’t been able to display that athleticism and live up to his potential for more than a few plays in his career.
Kongbo has played at both end and tackle in his two seasons at Tennessee, but he might be better suited to play as pass rush specialist or outside linebacker in the Vols’ new 3-4 defense. If Kongbo can finally get everything to click and prove himself this spring, he’ll stand out to the Vols’ new coaching staff.
