All-Star Thompson good at first impression

"You can tell he's been well coached," Rutledge said following the first day of practice in the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center for this week's Tennessee-Kentucky All-Star Football Classic. "He really seems to understand what we're talking about."

And Rutledge knows what he's talking about, too.

Now head coach at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Rutledge led Alabama to three SEC titles and a national championship in 1978. He went on to play 13 years as a quarterback in the NFL and won Super Bowls with the Giants in 1986 and the Redskins in 1991.

On Sunday, Rutledge spent time working with the Tennessee team's two quarterbacks: South Carolina-bound Thompson and Louisville signee Lee Sweeney.

Thompson could challenge for the starting job with the Gamecocks this fall.

Sophomore Blake Mitchell is the only quarterback on South Carolina's roster who saw action last year after Mike Rathe's appeal for a sixth year of eligibility was denied by the NCAA.

Thompson will compete with fellow incoming freshman Tommy Beecher, as well as junior Brett Nichols and redshirt freshman Antonio Heffner.

His early playing time could be determined by his ability to pick up new head coach Steve Spurrier's offense. Thompson said he already has been studying the Gamecocks' playbook and will enroll in the second session of summer classes, which begins July 5.

"I think there's a chance (to start), but there's a chance I can get redshirted," said Thompson, who threw for 2,475 yards and 33 touchdowns for Maryville High last season and compiled a 43-1 record as a starter with two state titles.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Thompson is busy working out four days a week to try and add a few more pounds before two-a-days in August. Assuming he's successful in bulking up, his playing time could be determined by how quickly he learns South Carolina's offense.

If that's the case, he could be in great shape.

"He's a quick learner and football smart," Rutledge said. "He's easy to coach."

So easy, in fact, that the former Vanderbilt assistant coach would have liked Thompson's college choice to have been a little more difficult.

"Spurrier's going to have a great one to work with," Rutledge said. "If I was still at Vanderbilt I know I'd have recruited the heck out of him."

Going To California: Central's Terence Scott is California bound.

The Bobcats' standout receiver and defensive back is headed to College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif.

Scott, a first-team All-PrepXtra selection with 947 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns last season, will try to land at a Division I school after two years at the junior college. Marshall and South Carolina recruited him, among others.

"I'm a little nervous, but I'm excited," Scott said after Sunday's practice. "It's a different route, but I'll meet back up with these guys."

Roster changes: A few last-minute scratches from the Tennessee roster paid dividends for some local players.

Austin-East's Albert Harris (Carson-Newman), Maryville's Jeffrey Smith and Rhett Brooks (Murray State), son of UT defensive line coach Dan Brooks, were among the additions to Tennessee's roster.

Clinton's Eric Hensley (Vanderbilt) will not compete this week.

Drew Edwards covers high school sports. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.