Jonathan Kongbo Commits to Tennessee Over USC on Signing Day

Four-star defensive end Jonathan Kongbo committed to the Tennessee Volunteers on Signing Day over USC, Ole Miss and Florida State.

Arizona Western defensive end Jonathan Kongbo ended the contentious race for his signature by choosing Tennessee as his college destination over USC, Ole Miss and Florida State. The JUCO transfer was originally committed to the Volunteers but de-committed in January.

Kongbo was born in the Congo but moved to Canada at an early age where he played basketball growing up. His football career did not begin until he was a senior in high school, so his experience was limited to just six games before he signed with Wyoming. He left the Cowboys after redshirting one season and ended up at Arizona Western Community College. There he thrived as a pass rusher, tallying 9.5 sacks on the season.

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His road to FBS-level football has been unusual, but Kongbo’s natural ability has made him a coveted recruit. He’s got the size. He’s got the strength. He’s got the aggression. At this point, his lack of experience actually playing football is the only thing holding him back. Even then, he’s pegged as an instant starter wherever he lands.

The recruiting sites all seem to agree that Kongbo is one of, if not the top JUCO recruit in the 2016 class. He is certainly the No. 1 defensive end from the junior college ranks.

In missing out on Kongbo, the Trojans lost a valuable body for a defensive front losing five seniors in the rotation to graduation. More importantly, Kongbo’s potential to make an immediate and lasting impact makes him a major blow to USC’s recruiting efforts.

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