4. Emmit Gooden, DL
Though Tennessee is transitioning to a base 3-4 defensive scheme, they’ll still be running a 4-3 package fairly often when they play SEC teams. Shy Tuttle is likely the Vols’ starting nose tackle this year, but junior college signee Emmit Gooden should be able to come in and be the No. 2 defensive tackle for Tennessee.
Gooden is a big-bodied lineman who already has the size and skill necessary to compete for a starting job along Tennessee’s defensive line. He’s 6-foot-4, 305 pounds and has some collegiate experience in the JUCO ranks. The Vols desperately need to get bigger along the interior of both the offensive and defensive line, and Gooden will help them immediately on that front on the defensive side.
In 18 games for Independence Community College, Gooden totaled 136 tackles, five sacks, 20 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He’s explosive and big, something Tennessee missed on the defensive line last year.
