More than three years after committing to Tennessee the first time, Emmitt Gooden is set to play for the Vols after all.

The 4-star defensive tackle from Independence Community College (Kan.) picked Tennessee over West Virginia and Arkansas on Wednesday, giving Jeremy Pruitt a much-needed true interior lineman in the 2018 class.

Gooden took an unofficial visit to Knoxville the final weekend before National Signing Day, as the West Tennessee native wanted to give the Vols one last look before his impending decision. Gooden originally committed to Tennessee back in 2014, but the Brownsville, Tenn., native quickly reopened his recruitment and also eventually pledged to Mississippi State and Arkansas.

The 6-foot-4, 305-pound lineman still has some work to do academically, but Gooden is confident he will be able to enroll at Tennessee in May and believes there’s an early opportunity for him to make an impact with the Vols.

As a junior college commit, Gooden has three years play two. Gooden finished the 2017 season with 81 tackles, 6.5 TFLs and one sack.