Sore ankle? Crompton returns to practice

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UT middle linebacker Gerald Williams has finished his last class to qualify and awaits his grade. In the meantime, he's ready to take to the field for the Vols. Watch »

Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton was back at practice Wednesday on Haslam Field after sitting out Tuesday’s drills with a sore right ankle. The junior bristled when asked about the minor ailment.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Crompton said with a sly smile. “My ankle is fine. It’s football. You get a little tweak here and there. But I’m perfectly fine, 100-percent ready to go.”

That seemed to be the case on Wednesday, as Crompton showed no ill effects from whatever might be — or have been — wrong with his ankle.

Crompton said he’s well aware that his health will be the center of attention no matter how insignificant an injury might be.

“You expect that when you come to the University of Tennessee,” Crompton said. “That’s why you come play here. You’re under the spotlight 24-7.”

Crompton denied persistent Internet rumors that he was wearing a protective boot around campus early this week.

“I’ve been wearing my tennis shoes and some sandals,” he quipped. “I kind of mix them up.”

Waiting Williams: UT coach Phillip Fulmer said he is still waiting on a summer school grade for junior college transfer Gerald Williams.

“I’m hopeful (that it will be) any day,” Fulmer said.

Williams has been moved full-time to middle linebacker after a short stint at weakside.

Practice Report: The Vols will hold their last full-scale scrimmage of fall camp Thursday. Despite that practice looming and a physical afternoon session on Tuesday, Fulmer said he was pleased with Wednesday’s practice.

“Today was one of our best practices actually,” Fulmer said.

Fulmer knows he’s got some competition for his players’ attention with class starting this week.

“The girls are back,” Fulmer said. “They’re 18 to 22 (years old), not all totally focused on football.”

Fulmer said Thursday’s scrimmage will consist of five game simulation series (first string versus second string), which could go a long way to determining who will be UT’s backup quarterback: sophomore Nick Stephens or redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman.

“I think that’s going to be an ongoing process,” Fulmer said. “Neither one of them have distinguished themselves.”

Fulmer said the competition could go into the season. Coleman said he’s pleased with his effort so far.

“I feel like I’ve had a good camp,” Coleman said. “The journey’s been great. I feel like I have a long way to go.”

Not Yet the Victor: Fulmer said sophomore defensive tackle Victor Thomas has lacked consistency since turning in a strong scrimmage on Saturday.

“I’m not going to sit here and wait until he’s a fourth year junior for him to be mature,” said Fulmer, who added that if UT’s young, reserve defensive tackles didn’t improve, the Vols would go to a three-down lineman scheme.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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