Jonathan Crompton's recovery is well on its way.

The Tennessee quarterback exceeded expectations last week when he began throwing a football for the first time since last summer. Crompton had surgery on his throwing shoulder Aug. 10 to repair a torn labrum.

The redshirt freshman spent three days working on his game with his former coach, Travis Noland of Tuscola High School in Waynesville, N.C.

"I was pleasantly surprised," Noland said. "To be just released from his surgery, I thought he had as much revolutions as he's ever had. The way the ball was rotating and coming off his throw, the ball was a real tight spiral."

Crompton is expected to be throwing at full speed by early to late February, according to his surgeon, Dr. Richard Jones from Southeastern Sports Medicine. Jones said, barring any setbacks, he expects Crompton to be ready for spring drills Spring practice begins March 2.

"I've been really pleased with how he looks," Jones said after evaluating Crompton last week. "I watched him throw a little bit. We're just starting to ease him back into throwing. I was very surprised with the velocity that he was throwing with, with minimal effort."

Crompton will compete with sophomore Erik Ainge for the starting job in 2006. Ainge struggled last season as he split time with Rick Clausen.

Jones admitted he was a bit concerned Crompton might have been overexerting himself before he informed onlookers that he was only using minimal effort.

Jones said soreness could be a common theme as Crompton progresses through the four- to six-week rehabilitation phase of his recovery.

Jones said, as of now, he could not have expected anymore from Crompton's recovery.

Noland said he and Crompton only threw for five to eight minutes each day and the passes never exceeded 10 yards.

The two spent three days in North Carolina focusing on Crompton's fundamentals which were a bit rusty after surgery. Footwork and ball positioning were the themes of the visit.

"That's what we emphasized," Noland said. "I gave him a training video that we made of him when he was in high school. That (fundamentals) has helped him be successful over the years."

Noland and Jones weren't the only ones excited as the two threw in the Tuscola High School gym. Crompton's excitement was readily apparent.

"Oh, yeah," Noland said. "He felt good about it. He was excited. The biggest thing that Jonathan has got to do is not overdo it because he's such a hard-working kid."

Noland said the surgery might actually be a benefit for his protege. He said the year off has allowed Crompton to mature physically and mentally.