Three-star offensive tackle J’Marion Gooch was granted a release from his National Letter of Intent by Tennessee recently. Gooch quickly pivoted and committed to Missouri on Wednesday night, tweeting out that he was “%100 committed” to go along with a graphic of himself in a Mizzou uniform.
Gooch is the third UT signee to receive a release from his NLI since Josh Heupel became head coach of the Vols, joining four-star edge rusher Dylan Brooks and four-star running back Cody Brown. Brooks has since committed to Auburn.
Gooch originally committed to Tennessee last April. He then decommitted from the Tigers in August before committing to the Vols. Gooch signed with Tennessee on Dec. 16, the first day of the early signing period.
He recently transferred back to Gallatin High School in Gallatin, Tennessee after playing the past two seasons at nearby The King’s Academy in Seymour, Tennessee. Gooch moved back to Gallatin midway through his senior season.
Gooch is ranked at the No. 628 overall player in the country by the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He’s considered the 51st-best offensive tackle and the 14th-best player in the state of Tennessee.
The in-state offensive lineman was one of four the Vols signed at the position in the class of 2021. In addition to Gooch, Tennessee signed three-star William Parker, three-star Amari McNeill and junior college offensive tackle Jeremiah Crawford. New head coach Josh Heupel signed Crawford on National Signing Day, while Parker and McNeill have not asked out of their NLI.
Tennessee signed the No. 16 overall class in the country, but the crop has since had three players depart in Gooch, Brooks and Crawford. The Vols also added transfers in Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker and USC kicker Chase McGrath.
