SAN ANTONIO — Mitch Mustain knows what the critics are saying.

He's heard how he must have withdrawn his commitment to Arkansas only to help Springdale (Ark.) High School coach Gus Malzahn secure the offensive coordinator position at Arkansas last month.

He's all too familiar with the speculation that Arkansas coach Houston Nutt must have stooped to the high school level to make sure he will land the team's star quarterback and Parade All-America High School Player of the Year.

On Tuesday, Mustain said he has heard enough.

"That does bother me," the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Mustain said during a break in practice for Saturday's U.S. Army All-American Bowl, "just because with or without me, I think he can get that job and he can handle that job.

"I know a lot of people say that they gave him the job to get me. He can run that as well as anybody."

Mustain still says he's considering Tennessee, Notre Dame, Arkansas and Alabama. Imagine Malzahn's position if Mustain doesn't end up at Arkansas.

"I think it will be a little bit stressful on him," Mustain said. "I think that will stick with him if I don't go there but that's nothing against him."

No other player has been requested more by the media than Mustain, according to event organizers. Mustain, who threw for 3,817 yards and 47 touchdowns to lead Springdale to the Class AAAAA title, said that should be proof that he is sincerely looking at other schools.

"Nothing's a lock right now," Mustain said. "I wouldn't be going through this stuff. I could definitely do without this circus."

Mustain said he understands why the skeptics have sneered after pulling his commitment and Malzahn's hiring but insists that the two incidents are totally unrelated.

"When I de-committed, he (Malzahn) was in talks with Arkansas to come on staff," Mustain said. "I knew he would be there in some capacity, not sure what it was. It's not like I had no idea."

Mustain declined to comment on what exactly concerned him about Arkansas. He did however allude to being miffed when he wasn't informed of coaching dismissals that took place after the season.

"They've shown that they're still interested by hiring new people," Mustain said, "They're still trying to do that."

Mustain is more in the loop with Arkansas than ever thanks to Malzahn, who he calls a "father-type figure". Mustain admits the relationship has changed now that his former head coach is recruiting him.

"We're real close," Mustain said. "I know his whole family. It's been, not really strained, but weird for both of us. It's odd for him having to adjust to his new job and having to recruit me."

As for the Vols, they have benefited from Mustain's relationship with newly hired offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe, who recruited Mustain when he was the quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame last winter. Mustain said he likes Cutcliffe and his knowledge of the game.

"I like what they've done," Mustain said, referring to UT's staff changes. "They had a bad year this year but their history shows that they're going to do what it takes to get it done."

Mustain wasn't completely clear if he still had a scholarship offer from Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish have two quarterbacks committed and 25 total prospects for the 2006 class.

"I know people have heard rumors about scholarships being taken away," Mustain said. "(Notre Dame) coach (Charlie) Weis doesn't work like that. There's a reason he offered people their scholarship and they're going to keep them."

Mustain committed to Arkansas without taking any official visits and has yet to schedule his first. With only four weeks until National Signing Day, Mustain said not taking an official visit doesn't mean he's not considering a particular school.

Mustain said he's going to try to take two official visits before the end of the month but wouldn't commit to any dates or schools.

"I haven't even sat down and thought about it yet," Mustain said.

Despite the indecision, the awards and honors just keep rolling in for Mustain. He was showcased on the front of Parade Magazine with Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher.

"It was really cool," Mustain said. "I grew up watching Emmitt Smith play. I was a big Cowboys fan."

Mustain said he met with Smith after the photo shoot. Smith's advice was clear.

"Enjoy it," Mustain said recalling the conversation.

Mustain doesn't seem to be enjoying the "media circus," as he calls it. Still, he said he doesn't regret withdrawing his home state commitment.

"This is the rest of my life," Mustain said. "It's my next four to five years but that's going to affect long term as well."