Tennessee Vols' 4 junior college signees could be big plus in Jeremy Pruitt's first season

No matter how a recruiting class is ranked, it creates uncertainty. You can’t be sure about a player until he actually begins competing against other college players.

The uncertainty is magnified when it comes to junior college signees.

There are raised expectations for junior college transfers because they aren’t signed as projects. They’re expected to contribute right away.

Adams:UT Vols' second signing day is a letdown

And I’m sure new Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt expects as much from the junior college transfers in his first signing class as a head coach.

The Vols signed four: tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson, outside linebacker Jordan Allen, offensive tackle Jahmir Johnson and defensive tackle Emmit Gooden

Wood-Anderson is one of UT’s most intriguing signees. The four-star recruit from Arizona Western College was one of the highest-rated junior college players in the country and the No. 1-ranked tight end.

More:Jeremy Pruitt vows Vols football will be at 'the very top' next signing day

Pruitt refers to him as a "mismatch" in that he can block at the line of scrimmage but is also athletic enough to line up as a wide receiver.

Wood-Anderson could fill a position of need on a depth chart that will lose two tight ends, including four-year starter Ethan Wolf. Allen and Gooden could compete for starting positions on a defense that was exploited repeatedly in 2017. And Johnson should add much needed depth to a troubled offensive line.

But UT’s recent history with junior college players has been hit-and-miss.

Junior college All-American offensive lineman Dontavius Blair was a prize member of the Vols’ heralded 2014 recruiting class. But he was redshirted in his first season and played in just nine games in 2015. He transferred to West Alabama before the 2016 season.

More:Tennessee Vols endure ups, downs in first Jeremy Pruitt signing class

Nor has defensive end Jonathan Kongbo played up to his billing as a recruit. He was one of the most sought-after junior college players in the 2016 signing class.

After having little impact in his first season with the Vols, he was good enough to start in his second season. But he hasn’t come close to being the pass-rushing force that some envisioned when he arrived at Tennessee.

The Vols benefited much more from the addition of junior college running back Alvin Kamara, who signed with Alabama out of high school but stayed for only one season.

He revived his career at Hutchinson Community College before joining the Vols. In two seasons at Tennessee, he rushed for 1,284 yards and averaged 6.2 yards per carry.

More:Here's who Tennessee Vols football added on National Signing Day

Kamara was recently named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in his first season with the New Orleans Saints.  

A few years earlier, Tennessee hit it big with junior college wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. He starred in his only college season before moving on to the NFL.

In 2012, Patterson caught 46 passes for 778 yards and five touchdowns. He also excelled on special teams, averaging 28 yards on kickoff returns and 25.3 yards on four punt returns.

UT’s offense got another junior college boost when it signed tight end Mychal Rivera. He caught 76 passes three seasons at Tennessee before going pro in 2013.

A tight end averaging 25 pass receptions a season wouldn’t be a big deal in a lot of places. But UT isn’t known for pass-catching tight ends.

Maybe, Wood-Anderson can help change that image.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.