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Tennessee football at Georgia: 5 Vols to watch for against the Dawgs

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Running back Madre London #31 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs for yards during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Running back Madre London #31 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs for yards during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images
Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images /

This is a stretch, I know. Jonathan Kongbo has not lived up to his expectations, really since arriving on campus as a five-star recruit back in 2016. However, undergoing a system change his senior year and playing a position that relies on a push up front, which he hasn’t gotten a lot, complicates things a bit.

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Still, everything we said about Kyle Phillips being a key in this game applies to Kongbo. As the outside linebacker and the key edge rusher, Kongbo is the guy more than anybody else who could wreak havoc on the Dawgs this weekend.

Because of the multiple schemes from 3-4 to nickel to 4-3, Kongbo can sometimes line up at outside linebacker or on the line. And they can be on different sides, meaning he’ll be able to exploit either one of Georgia’s injuries on the line.

Tennessee football still has a weapon here, and there’s no reason to believe that Kongbo won’t at one point just explode onto the scene. I’m not banking on this game being that point, but it’s a clear opportunity for him to do so.

If Kongbo and Phillips can both wreak havoc in the backfield, the Vols could maybe get just enough breaks go their way defensively. Again, it will all depend on the rush in the middle, but we saw signs of life there last week.

Next. Grading the Vols in their loss to Florida. dark

Tennessee football had high expectations for one spot heading into the year, and that was the combination of edge rushers and defensive linemen. So far, those guys haven’t lived up to the hype. But this game is their chance to do that. And it’s the perfect time for Kongbo to emerge into the star we once thought he was.

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