Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that Catholic High School football star Harrison Smith wants to postpone his college choice.

After all, his hometown team is facing more questions than an episode of Jeopardy.

Tennessee is coming off a 5-6 season, which prompted a complete overhaul of the offensive coaching staff.

That must weigh on any prospect’s mind. Just because Smith is from Knoxville doesn’t mean he’s any different.

"That was one of the big things I was looking for — to see what happens during the season," Smith said. "It can change a lot from year to year. If they’re coming off another bad year, there’s a lot of questions."

Smith has plenty of reasons to commit to UT. There’s nearby friends and family. There’s football tradition. But, as Smith points out, there’s also uncertainty.

"It’s a concern if you have two bad seasons right in a row," the versatile 6-foot-2, 205-pounder said. "There could be coaching changes and things like that. It’s uncertainty you don’t want to deal with."

Smith left no uncertainty concerning his athletic ability in last Friday’s jamboree at Neyland Stadium. Smith had two interceptions and a 57-yard touchdown reception in only a quarter of play.

On Friday night, Smith rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns in Catholic’s opener against Smith County.

His rising status among the nation’s top prospects has Smith thinking about his long-term football future.

"Football has to be at the top," Smith said when asked what role academics will play in his decision. "That’s what I’m going for. I’m going to get the degree, but I’m going on a football scholarship.

"Academics is big, and getting help. Most schools have that. Being comfortable at the place (also is a factor)."

UT and Notre Dame aren’t the only ones after Smith. Four schools have risen to the top.

"I’m going to take some official visits," Harrison said. "I like Auburn and Stanford’s one that I like. Those four are kind of separated from anyone else."

The fact that Smith is willing to wait to evaluate UT should be viewed as a positive by Vol fans. At the very least, UT has the ball in its court.

If UT can bounce back on the field, then Smith is far less likely to bounce out of Knoxville.

Close Call: UT fans can’t like the fact that Chris Donald told The Jackson Sun this week that UT and Notre Dame are "pretty much equal" when it comes to his recruitment.

The 6-3, 220-pound linebacker from Huntingdon High said so after his visit to South Bend, Ind., to check out the Irish.

Donald told the News Sentinel on several occasions that he was strongly leaning towards UT. The situation seemed dire earlier in the week when Internet rumors persisted that Donald had actually committed to Notre Dame.

"I wasn’t aware of what was going on until my dad told me someone on the Internet said I committed to Notre Dame," Donald told The Jackson Sun. "No, it’s not true. I haven’t committed to Notre Dame. I wouldn’t make a decision like that without talking with my parents first."

Stay tuned. UT may end up needing a strong charge for a player that once seemed destined to play for the Vols.

Drew Edwards contributed to this report.

Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He may be reached at hookerd@knews.com.