Do you ever wonder why prospects commit early?

I hear it all the time. "Why don't these guys take their time, take all of their official visits and see some of the cathedrals of college football even if you know where you're going to end up?"

Receiver Todd Campbell knows that's not always the best route. The Franklin High School star committed to Tennessee in April. Since then, not much of anything has gone according to plan when it comes to football.

It all began when Franklin's backup quarterback quit the team. That may not seem that significant until you learn what happened just a week later. Franklin's starting quarterback suffered a concussion that forced him to the sidelines.

Needless to say, Campbell's catches have been limited.

"Maybe 10 catches for 250 yards," the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder said as he recalled the unspectacular stat line, "and three TDs"

Part of the problem is obvious. When there is inconsistency at quarterback, production among receivers will surely suffer.

The other reason why Campbell hasn't been more involved offensively is because he's been more involved in everything else.

"I was being moved around on all sides of the ball," he said. "I've never played defense."

He has now. Campbell has been forced into cornerback duty as Franklin focuses on keeping the score low while their offense is in flux. It seems to be working. Franklin has given up 10.4 points per game.

The defensive experience is a new one for the man known for his smooth route running.

"I don't even think I can hit anybody," he said with a chuckle. "When the stuff hits the fan, you've got to do what you've got to do."

Campbell is also returning kicks. He's never done that either. He's also on the punt-coverage team.

"That's something new to me too," he said.

Whatever can help his team. And, by the way, Franklin is 4-1.

While Campbell is doing most everything on the field, there's one thing he's not worried about, and that's impressing college recruiters in the stands. Campbell knows where he'll play his college football.

"It's pretty nice because on Fridays instead of thinking I need to play like this to impress this guy, I can just think 'Let's win this ball game and make a championship run,'" he said.

Campbell admits he was always worrying last season. After all, one's junior season is when you put yourself on the recruiting radar. Now, Campbell is stress free.

"I'm not stressed at all," he said. "I'm just playing football."

Being a UT commitment within Tennessee's borders does have some negatives. Hecklers are a constant.

"They're like, 'You gonna get it UT,' " Campbell said.

It doesn't stop there

"When they tackle me, they'll say, 'Tell (Phillip) Fulmer I said hey,' " Campbell said.

Campbell is still getting plenty of interest from other schools. Kentucky and Vanderbilt top the list. Some schools even send track scholarship offers. They quickly end up in the trash.

Campbell is no longer a prospect. He's a high school football player, if only for a few more weeks that will assuredly pass quicker than a two-minute drill.

To be high school football players, not prospects. That's why they commit early.

Like Old Times: Now would be a good time for the Vols to lay some more groundwork as they rebuild Receiver U. You know, that moniker of the past when the Harpers and Morgans of UT lore roamed Shields-Watkins.

UT's current receivers have proved to be game changers this season. But just as the potential has been reached, a new crop must be harvested.

Jayson Swain and Bret Smith are soon to be departed seniors. Robert Meachem could have an NFL decision to make if he continues to play at such a high level.

That gives the Vols a product to sell that is always in high demand: playing time.

Sure, UT has some talented younger receivers who have made it onto the field, such as sophomores Lucas Taylor and Austin Rogers, but that's hardly enough to fill in for the aforementioned talented trio from 2003.

Sophomore Josh Briscoe has shown flashes of promise but has disappeared this season, mostly because of ineffective run blocking. Freshman Slick Shelly has great hands but does he have the speed to be a game-breaker?

That means the cupboard could use a restocking. You can be sure that will get some highly touted prospects interested.

Trooper Taylor should also help UT's cause. Not only is he one of UT's most active recruiters, but he also will be the eventual position coach for any receiver prospect who decides to be a Vol.

If the family likes Taylor as a recruiter (which they most always do), they'll love to know that he'll be right there throughout their son's career.

Close But Far: UT and Memphis don't typically run in the same recruiting circles. The Vols usually pursue more high-profile players. However, that doesn't mean that a win over the Tigers wouldn't have recruiting benefits for UT.

The Vols set up a significant stronghold in the area in 2005, signing five prospects from the Memphis area. Now, the pipeline seems to have dried a bit. The Vols failed to sign a Memphis-area player last season and don't have one committed for the 2007 class.

Linebacker Chris Walker from Christian Brothers, wide receiver Roderick Davis from Wooddale and Chris Donald from nearby Huntingdon are some of the players from West Tennessee considering UT.

The Vols are almost in a no-win situation against the Tigers. Since they are widely predicted to beat Memphis, it likely won't impress any prospects if they secure the victory, unless UT blows Memphis out in impressive fashion.

The downside is if UT loses. That would give West Tennessee prospects the wrong thing to think about.