Crompton says 'of course I want to be the man'

Questions arise when a big-name prospect doesn’t immediately become a starter.

Was he overrated?

Was he given a fair chance to compete?

Tennessee sophomore quarterback Jonathan Crompton has heard all of the above, and many more. In fact, he’d probably like some answers himself.

After all, it’s been more than three years since one of the premier quarterback prospects of the 2005 class announced he would be a Vol. At the time, Crompton’s decision brought excitement — likely not rivaled since Peyton Manning committed to UT in January 1994.

Crompton’s announcement in June 2004, prior to his senior season at Tuscola High School in Waynesville, N.C., now seems like ancient history.

Amid a throng of reporters, television cameras and live radio, the Vols secured what they believed to be their quarterback of their future, and, perhaps, their present.

Crompton’s first season at UT, 2005, was over before it began because of a preexisting shoulder injury. A year later, with an offense to turn around, Crompton wasn’t going to unseat Erik Ainge.

As Crompton began his rehab in the spring of 2006 Ainge seized the reigns. Certainly, UT needed stability after a 5-6 season. Whatever competition had been promised during Crompton’s recruitment was put on hold.

“It’s been hard just because of the competitiveness in me,” Crompton said. “That’s just something I have to deal with. I’m dealing with it a little better. My main goal is for us to win an SEC (championship) and win a national (championship).

“Of course I want to be the man. That’s my goal. That’s always been my goal and I’m going to strive for it.”

Crompton admits there can be a strange balance between simultaneously looking out for his team and looking out for himself.

When is it better to speak up and when is it better to remain silent?

“You’ve got to do what’s best for the team,” Crompton said. “You’ve got to know when to be selfish and when not to be.”

However, Crompton added, “Nobody came to Tennessee to be a back-up. Nobody.”

The Past

Crompton and his family know they’ve lost the respect and admiration of some fans. To some, Crompton is well on his way to being a full-fledged bust just because he hasn’t beaten out Ainge.

Such fans don’t want to hear about the shoulder injury that gave Ainge a prolonged head start. They just want to see Crompton make the sort of plays they expect out of a prospect who was adored long before he ever stepped on campus.

There was certainly a glimpse of that last year. In relief of a hobbled Ainge against LSU last October, Crompton completed 11-of-24 passes for 183 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Crompton’s career highlight to date came when he zinged a 54-yard touchdown pass to Robert Meachem to put the Vols up 24-21 in the fourth quarter. LSU subsequently rallied to win, 28-24.

A week later, the Crompton naysayers would have plenty to crow about when Arkansas thumped UT 31-14, despite two more TD passes from the redshirt freshman.

Outside the locker room, the debate rages on about Crompton. Inside the locker room, there seems to be a strong sense of confidence in what Crompton will eventually do. Perhaps that’s because even in a backup role Crompton’s leadership skills have been on display.

“It’s his team, too,” Ainge said. “I could get hurt on the first play. If he was absent and didn’t try to lead, then it would be a hard position for him to step in.

“I think Jonathan’s done a good job of embracing the back-up role and not trying to steal my thunder. Jonathan works hard and leads by example. He works his butt off.”

Crompton’s recruiting reputation grew because he was so integral in assembling UT’s highly ranked 2005 signing class — a class that fans question almost as much as Crompton.

Crompton’s contacts didn’t just help assemble that class. He also laid the groundwork for some of the prospects in 2006. After all, if one of the top prospects in the nation picked UT despite a depth chart lined against him, shouldn’t others follow?

“He’s one of my real close friends and one of the reasons I came to this university,” said sophomore guard Jacques McClendon. “He’s just a proven leader. He’s one of those guys that people jell to. He demands excellence.”

The Present

There’s surely been some tension at times between Crompton and Ainge. Both came to UT to start, yet only one spot exists.

“It’s a business. It’s a job,” Ainge said, when asked about his relationship with Crompton. “I have a lot respect for Jonathan. I’m sure he has a lot of respect for me. We have different friends.

“Do we hang out outside of the complex? No.”

Perhaps that’s because the two got to know each other so well inside the complex.

“They’re around each other a lot of hours,” offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said. “We meet a lot of hours this time of year.”

Ainge maintains he doesn’t have to be best friends with a fellow competitor and insists there’s currently no tension between the two signal-callers.

“If you were competing with anybody for anything and you’re a competitive person, you’re not going to want to hold hands and joke around,” Ainge said. “That’s just not how it is when one man is competing with another man for one position.”

Cutcliffe said there’s a benefit for each player. As he’s often said, competition makes players better.

“I think it’s greatly beneficial,” Cutcliffe said. “I intend on seeing them together a bunch watching tape, which will be a great opportunity for both of them to push each other and learn — particularly Jonathan to learn what Erik knows from being a functional part for so long.”

The Future

Since Crompton has been relegated to the bench, the Vols haven’t been reluctant to fill the depth chart with other quarterbacks. UT signed Nick Stephens in 2006, then talented, yet overlooked, B.J. Coleman in 2007.

Does that mean the Vols are looking for another quarterback of the future, perhaps unhappy with Crompton’s progression?

Cutcliffe certainly didn’t seem to think Crompton has left the door open this past offseason.

“He’s physically much better,” Cutcliffe said. “His mental preparation is much better. He’s knowing what’s going on out there.”

That’s been tough for onlookers to confirm. As is often the case in preseason camp, UT’s first team often lines up against the second team, meaning Crompton has often faced the Vols’ best defenders with back-ups alongside.

“He plays in a little tougher circumstances,” Cutcliffe said. “He may have been suffering a little bit more than Erik about guys not being where they’re supposed to be and doing what they’re supposed to be doing.

“He’s handled those (situations) extremely well. He took care of the football. He made great decisions. A year ago, he struggled with that.

“That’s the definitive way to see progress. It’s not measuring a quarterback when everything’s right. When things go wrong, how do you play? That’s where he’s significantly been better than any other time during his career.”

Limiting mistakes is the key to Cutcliffe’s heart — and his depth chart. Cutcliffe isn’t opposed to taking chances, but he wants the gamble to be a safe one.

“The old gambler says know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em,” Cutcliffe said with a smile. “That’s a big part of it.”

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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