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Tennessee Football Smokey Points: Top 5 Vols Performers in the Music City Bowl

By Caleb Calhoun

Dec 30, 2016; Nashville , TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Malone (3) catches a pass against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Nashville , TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Malone (3) catches a pass against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2016; Nashville , TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) and Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Jonathan Kongbo (1) talk with Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Ryker Fyfe (17) after a near sack during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Nashville , TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) and Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Jonathan Kongbo (1) talk with Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Ryker Fyfe (17) after a near sack during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Darrin Kirkland Jr. had some help in his performance with a surprise breakout game from another player. Jonathan Kongbo had received tons of praise during the bowl preparations, as the coaches seemed to suggest that he had finally figured things out.

It showed on Friday.

Kongbo demonstrated his versatility by lining up at defensive tackle and defensive end at different times. With the Vols so thin at tackle, he had a huge role as well as Kirkland in trying to stop the run.

And Nebraska’s rushing statistics are as much a testament to him as they are to Kirkland.

But Kongbo was also an amazing playmaker at the same time.

With four total tackles, three of which were solo, the 6’6″ 270-pound sophomore was finally living up to his five-star billing. He had two tackles for a loss, including a sack for a six-yard loss, and he added two quarterback hurries.

This is a great way to set the stage of what he may be able to do in the future with Tennessee likely losing three key defensive linemen going into next year.

After all, he did this against a very elite Nebraska Cornhuskers offensive line. That has to count for something.

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