Soreness puts Crompton's throwing for UT on hold

Tennessee's trainers have told the Waynesville, N.C., quarterback to stop throwing during summer workouts in order to rest his sore throwing shoulder.

Tests have shown no structural damage to his right shoulder. UT's head trainer Keith Clements said too much throwing in the spring and early summer caused the ailment.

"You've got a young quarterback with tremendous initiative to succeed and compete for the starting job," Clements said.

Clements said Crompton will begin throwing again in three to four weeks. Crompton has been sidelined for just over a week.

Crompton threw for a short period after he enrolled at UT in June. Then, the decision was made to rest his shoulder after he complained of soreness. Crompton has tried to remain involved with UT's voluntary summer workouts by studying the offense while watching his teammates.

This isn't the first time a freshman quarterback's career has been put on hold because of a sore shoulder. Casey Clausen likely would have been the starter to begin the 2000 season had he not suffered a similar ailment caused by too much throwing. Tendinitis developed and Clausen was sidelined until the third game of the season.

Clements said Clausen's injury was much more acute than Crompton's. Crompton and UT will benefit from identifying the injury early. Clausen's injury was not diagnosed until shortly before the season began.

"We're not in any hurry," Clements said. "We're not going to rush him."

Crompton will use the extra time to add strength in the weight room where he already has impressed many with his attitude.

"He brings in a hard-hat work ethic," UT strength and conditioning coach Johnny Long said. "He brings some brutal toughness with him."

Crompton was considered one of the top 100 prospects in the nation coming out of Tuscola (N.C.) High School before signing with UT. He was considered one of the top three quarterbacks in the country and was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Hard Hardesty: Long said he is impressed with North Carolina running back Montario Hardesty's physique and work ethic.

"He's phenomenal," Long said. "I don't know about the football field, but he is a hard-working young man. He's a great kid. He definitely has quickness and explosiveness (in the weight room)."