KNOXVILLE – When defensive tackle Jonathan Kongbo intercepted a screen pass and returned it for a touchdown in Tennessee’s late-season win over Missouri last year, it helped create the defensive end Jonathan Kongbo who has drawn raves from the coaches this preseason.
What’s the difference, aside from a move back to his natural position?
“Relaxed, cool, calm and collected,” the redshirt junior said Friday.
Kongbo arrived in Knoxville last year with lofty expectations and initially resisted an in-season position change brought on by the Volunteers’ injuries at defensive tackle.
Finally, when the Missouri game arrived, so did a new mindset for Kongbo in his adjustment from junior college football in Arizona to the Southeastern Conference.