Tennessee football: 5 most important juniors for the 2018 season

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KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

No. 5 – Emmit Gooden, Defensive Lineman

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound, Emmit Gooden receives the number fifth ranking on our most important list. He has the size and physicality that head coach Jeremy Pruitt wants on the defensive line.

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Gooden was a four-star recruit in the 2018 class. 247Sports Composite had him ranked as the No. 4 best JUCO player in the nation.

Sure, I could have thrown one of the offensive linemen in this position such as Brandon Kennedy or Chance Hall, but if Gooden gets on the field, then he could be an important player for the 2018 team.

If anything, Gooden will come in and play a significant role in a backup position. One of the things Tennessee has lacked in recent years is depth on the line of scrimmage. By the time the fourth quarter rolls around the Vols would be gassed and end up losing the game.

If Gooden can come in and make a difference on a defensive line that has struggled recently then the defense might be respectable. He will have two years make his impact and with Tuttle, Phillips, and Kongbo in there final season, Gooden could be the man up front next season.

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