Jonathan Kongbo, the top-rated prospect in the junior college ranks, is bound for Rocky Top.
The five-star defensive end from Yuma (Ariz.) Arizona Western signed with Tennessee on Wednesday to cap a wild recruitment that included a previous commitment to the Volunteers and a handful of official visits.
Kongbo, the No. 1 prospect in the JUCO100 rankings, also had Alabama, Florida State, Ole Miss and USC among his finalists, though the Rebels posed the biggest threat to the Vols in the final moments.
The 6-foot-6, 260-pound Kongbo was one of only two five-star prospects in the 2016 JUCO rankings. He originally chose Tennessee following his official visit in November, but then re-opened the recruiting process when more national programs joined the chase.
Tennessee head coach Butch Jones credited assistant Robert Gillespie for his tireless work to land Kongbo. Members of the staff were pictured last week having ice cream cones with the impact player in Arizona during their in-home meeting.
“Our defense just got a whole lot better,” Jones told the Vols’ official athletics website when the national letter of intent arrived.
Kongbo, who arrived at Arizona Western after transferring from Wyoming, took official visits to Ole Miss (Oct. 18), Oregon State (Nov. 20), USC (Jan. 22) and Florida State (Jan. 29). He’s originally from the Congo and spent his high school years in British Columbia, Canada.
The explosive pass rusher was credited with 55 total tackles, including 11 sacks, in 11 games this past season. He has three years left of collegiate eligibility.
