Jonathan Crompton hoped a June commitment to UT would lower the number of nightly phone calls he would get in the fall. Not a chance.

If anything, the highly touted quarterback from Waynesville, N.C., has received more than his fair share of phone calls now that the University of Tennessee is rotating two talented freshman quarterbacks.

"They're playing well," Crompton said of Erik Ainge and Brent Schaeffer. "They're going to be my teammates in a year. I'm all for them. I want them to do the best they can."

Several schools have intensified their recruiting of Crompton. Michigan, Alabama, LSU, and North Carolina State have called regularly to gauge Crompton's dedication to UT.

Georgia, which was one of Crompton's primary suitors, seems to have moved on. With a commitment from Charlotte, N.C., quarterback Joe Cox, the Bulldogs seem content with their quarterback future.

College coaches hoping to sway Crompton aren't the only ones voicing their opinion. Crompton's father, David, said their family has been besieged by curious fans, coaches, and media. David said he is asked about his son's commitment to UT 50-75 times a day.

"I understand the nature of it," David Crompton said. "You have to ask yourself, 'how many people get a chance to go through this?' It's a compliment. We never make it out to be a negative."

David Crompton said he appreciates fans who are concerned about his son's future. It's some members of the media that he has little patience for. Some have criticized Jonathan for not looking elsewhere because of the challenge that awaits him at UT.

"These guys are talking about things they don't know anything about," David Crompton said. "They don't know my son. That frustrates me.

"I know people are saying how stupid it is (to go to UT), but I think if you're going to play quarterback you have to believe in your ability."

Jonathan's dedication to UT seems every bit as strong now as it was when he committed in June. David Crompton, a longtime UT fan, sees reason to listen to other college coaches.

"I haven't rethought it, but I'm realistic," he said of Jonathan's commitment to UT. "I want him at Tennessee. He wants to be at Tennessee but there are options. That's my job as his dad.

"I'm not actively seeking anything but I'm not hanging up the phone when somebody calls. All I'm doing is making sure he has options."

David Crompton said his son's UT conviction has never wavered.

"The other day Jonathan said, 'If I ever went to the NFL, do you think I'd go to training camp and be the only quarterback there?' That put things in perspective.

"That makes sense. If you were to go to the next level, do you think they would say there's nobody good here but you?"

"He loves (UT offensive coordinator) Randy Sanders and he loves (UT coach) Phillip Fulmer. He believes them. They told him he's going to get a chance to compete. They love him and he loves them"

Said Jonathan: "I'm not going to back down from the challenge. That's my quarterback mentality. I'm going to do my best to go in there and win the job. If I don't start then, I'm going to support whoever is starting and try to make them better.

"I would work harder to get better every day. When my time came I would try to prove myself."

Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He may be reached at hookerd@knews.com or 865-342-6327.