Former Tennessee DT commit schedules OV with the Vols
Could a former Tennessee commit be back in play more than three years after decommitting from the Vols?
Junior college defensive tackle Emmit Gooden received an offer from UT’s new staff Sunday, and the Independence (Kan.) Community College standout told VolQuest.com he will take an official visit to Tennessee on Feb. 2.
Gooden has had a bit of a rollercoaster recruitment the last three years, committing to a trio of SEC schools (UT, Mississippi State and Arkansas) but reopening his recruitment each time due to a variety of circumstances.
Originally a West Tennessee native, Gooden committed to Tennessee in 2014. He has several ties to the Vols, as his uncle Tyrone Hines played for the Vols in the mid 90s and he's cousin's with standout freshman offensive lineman Trey Smith.
“I’ve been talking to the head man, coach Pruitt. It’s exciting to talk to the head man,” Gooden said.
“I’ve known him since Alabama. He’s a great guy. I once was committed to Tennessee in high school. Long time ago, but on the real, it’s a blessing to be back talking with Tennessee. It’s once in a lifetime (opportunity).”
The former Razorbacks commit has taken just two official visits (Arkansas and UAB) this cycle, and the JUCO defensive tackle is scheduled to go to Louisiana-Lafayette this weekend. He could visit UF or several other schools on the weekend of Jan. 26 before his final OV date with the Vols.
Gooden said it’s all happened rather fast with Tennessee’s new staff, but Pruitt has pressed hard in the last week. Gooden is supposed to have a phone conversation with Tennessee’s new defensive line coach Tracy Rocker on Monday and and then host Pruitt sometime in the next week.
Gooden said he has a relationship with several players on UT’s current roster, and even heard from someone on the Vols he didn’t know before late Sunday evening.
“Daniel (Bituli) reached out to me last night. He told me to come join the family,” Gooden said.
“That I’d be a huge addition to the D-line. Due to Kahlil (McKenzie) going to the draft, they’re going to be very thin.”
Emmit has three years to play two. The 4-star prospect still has some work to do academically but is confident he can enroll at his school of choice in May. Gooden finished the 2017 seasons with 81 tackles, 6.5 TFLs and one sack.