There are plenty of issues that have arisen from Tennessee's decision to retire three football jersey numbers.

Are the three worthy? Who was left out? What should be the criteria for determining the honorees?

Another question that has arisen and will continue to crop up in the future is, "How will it affect recruiting?"

The decision to retire Doug Atkins' No. 91, Peyton Manning's No. 16 and Reggie White's No. 92 surely had UT coach Phillip Fulmer thinking. Fulmer probably can't count the number of times that a jersey number has been discussed with a recruit.

It's hard to fathom that a number could mean so much. But, remember, you're talking about kids, teenagers who often don't fully appreciate UT's tradition until they've been taught its history and significance far after they've arrived on campus.

You truly begin to appreciate a college recruiter's job when you think that a young man could say, "Yeah, you've got the stadium, the fans, the tradition and the academic support, but I really need to wear No. 1. After all, I've worn that jersey since I was in midgets."

Sheesh.

If such a request is actually a demand, then it's a window to that prospect's soul. There's nothing wrong with preferring one number to another, but to demand it could be a sign of bad things to come. That sort of selfishness doesn't enhance any school's team chemistry.

UT has given Fulmer and his staff an out. They've included a clause that can allow one of the retired jersey numbers to return to active duty if the player or the player's family allows it.

There's some pressure.

Imagine one of UT's players running into trouble off the field after having gained consent from Doug Atkins to wear his No. 91. There are a lot of people who I'd rather make angry than Atkins, even at 75 years old.

What about No. 16? Is there any number that UT fans associate more with work ethic, determination and integrity? That should never be tarnished.

The same thing goes for White, a dominant player with a strong, sincere message.

Perhaps a waiting period should be enforced, two years as a Vol, to make sure that a particular prospect wouldn't sully the jersey or the man who wore it. After the probation period, then Atkins, Manning or White's family could be approached about using the requested number.

It would be nice for college recruiters to simply deny jersey number demands on principle alone. It would be naive to think that will be commonplace.

The decision to retire jersey numbers should show prospects that UT recognizes tradition and if players work hard and achieve great success, they'll be remembered as long as the Vols take the field at Neyland Stadium.

Sure, UT might miss out on a key prospect but what are the odds that he achieves the same greatness of Atkins, Manning or White.

The nation's highest-rated prospects hold the cards. They determine their destination and, once they find the right suitor, they'll get the jersey number they'll want.

1951. 1998. 107,000. Those are the numbers that should be important to UT prospects. Far too often, they aren't.

Don't be surprised, disappointed or dismayed. They're just teenagers.

And, after all, it's just a number.