No. 1 JUCO prospect Jonathan Kongbo recommits to Tennessee
Tennessee's final commitment of National Signing Day was arguably its biggest, as junior college defensive end Jonathan Kongbo recommitted to the Volunteers over Ole Miss, USC and Florida State. Kongbo had originally committed to the Vols after visiting back in November, however after receiving several scholarship offers from many of the nation's elite football programs, Kongbo reopened his recruitment.
Kongbo is a consensus five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 1 JUCO prospect in the nation according to 247Sports. During Tennessee's Signing Day Special, head coach Butch Jones saved the best for the last as Jones was pleased to surprise Vol Nation with the biggest commitment of the day to wrap up National Signing Day on Rocky Top:
Butch Jones welcomes five-star DE Jonathan Kongbo to Tennessee https://t.co/etCI3D9A2L
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) February 3, 2016
The Vols had to really fight off Ole Miss for Kongbo's signature, as his father had reportedly been hoping his son would go to Oxford.
Have been told 5-star Jonathan Kongbo could be the most interesting commit of the day. #Vols, #Noles, #HottyToddy as far as drama.
— Mike Farrell (@rivalsmike) February 3, 2016
Huge win for Tennessee. As of last night, he was going to Ole Miss. Every second counts in recruiting https://t.co/KrYkcTERNV
— Barton Simmons (@bartonsimmons) February 3, 2016
The junior college prospect had apparently been struggling to make his final decision, as he pushed the announcement back once during signing day and ultimately pulled the trigger on the Vols after receiving encouragement from a couple Tennessee stars:
So, the students just sang Rocky Top to Kongbo as he was face-timing w/ Kamara. Love it! #VolsNSD16 pic.twitter.com/D3xtQILDjH
— Kevin Mills (@KevinMills17) February 3, 2016
Good talk this morning with @King_Kongbo , follow your heart and trust in God as he leads you on your journey
— Todd Kelly Jr. (TK) (@ToddKellyJr6) February 3, 2016
Now officially a member of the Volunteer Team 120 roster, expectations are only going to continue to skyrocket for a Tennessee team that has won its last six games - the second best streak of all Power Five teams behind only Alabama's 12.
Kongbo himself is doing everything he can to continue the hype, as the newest member of the Team 120 sent this message to sophomore defensive lineman Kahlil McKenzie:
@KM1_Era it's on now. Tampa here we come
— Jonathan Kongbo III (@King_Kongbo) February 3, 2016
Take a wild guess where the National Championship game is being held next season...
Like we never left.. pic.twitter.com/lIQhY6VD7W
— Jonathan Kongbo III (@King_Kongbo) February 3, 2016