With fate seemingly lined up against him throughout his Tennessee career, Jonathan Crompton persevered.
Through a coaching change, four offensive coordinators and three surgeries to his throwing arm, Crompton marched on.
The resolve paid off over the last six games as the senior transformed himself from one of the worst quarterback in the SEC to one of the best, if league statistics are used as a guide.
The transformation was perhaps most evident when the senior ran through the pre-game 'T' to a round of cheers from many of the same fans that recently booed him.
"I've been through a lot here, obviously but it was good," Crompton said. "... It was a good night, a good way to finish out here."
Crompton had a special fan in the stands Saturday as the Vols bested Vanderbilt 31-16. His mother, Janet Crompton, watched her son play an entire game in person for the first time since last season. She's usually tucked away in secret stadium hideaway so she doesn't have to listen to fans criticize her son.
"It's been hell," she said after the game.
Jonathan Crompton's father has stayed in the stands, watching his son, often with admiration.
"I've got a strong son," David Crompton said. "At the end of the day, when you write a book the last chapter needs to be good."
Jonathan Crompton has penned a strong conclusion to an up-and-down career that has included four offensive coordinators and a head coaching change at a program once known for stability.
"We catch a couple of balls and we kick a couple of field goals and Jonathan's the story of college football this year," David Crompton said. "I don't mean that in a bad way but it's the truth. He's overcome a lot and done it in a class way.
"And the University of Tennessee should be pretty tickled that he represents this university. He loves this place more than anybody I ever met."
Coach Lane Kiffin has said he's never seen a quarterback improve as much as Crompton in one season.
"I'm so glad for Jonathan and his family for him to be able to end his home season like this and to be able to play so well," Kiffin said.
Fate still seemed determined to remind Crompton that it would have a say in his performance. Crompton's lone interception wasn't his fault. Freshman David Oku failed to reel in a well-thrown pass and tipped the ball in the air, which was caught by a Commodore.
That pick kept Crompton from setting a school record: most consecutive passes attempted without an interception. Crompton's streak ended at 142. Casey Clausen holds the record with 143.
"I was so upset about the interception because he was so close to the record," Kiffin said.
Crompton said he wasn't even aware of the streak.
"We won the game; that's all that counts," Crompton said. "Records don't mean anything to me as long as the team is winning and we're having fun, that's all that counts."
A drop by Gerald Jones also eliminated what could have been a long touchdown pass. Still, Crompton wasn't complaining. He had too much to be happy about following his last game in Neyland Stadium.
"It's been a fun ride," he said. "We haven't won them all but it's been a life-changing experience for everybody on this team.
"I wouldn't trade it."
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
National Signing Day 2010
Tennessee Lady Vols 82, Auburn Tigers 64
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group during a time out on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009.){kind=link}
Comments » 65
WinkeyVol writes:
I am glad Crompton is having fun. No one deserves it more than him. We will be all right in Kentucky,as long as they know we don't work for the government!
tenuscvol writes:
We're all proud of you John and wish you the very best.
It's my bet JC gets drafted and will play on Sundays...
Great Win! GBO and skin those cats!
teedub writes:
Congratulations to Jonathan on an incredible turnaround!! I admire the way he handled adversity for so long and never quit. Amazing!!
DennisVols writes:
It is really a shame the Crompton does not have one more year with this staff.
I was hoping he would develop inot the QB he was projected to be, though as the season started I had my doubts. I have never been happier at being proven wrong.
Thank you JC for sticking with us even when we did not stick with you as we should.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
SWAVol writes:
Jon I know that you have avoided the message boards like the plauge but I hope that you are reading these. I for one would like to let you know how proud I am of you and this team. You son are all VOLS and I wish you had one more year. Also, I would like to thank you for making me and a lot of others eat serious crow. I hope some pro team takes a look at what you can be and gives you a shot. I hope Santa brings me a Crompton jersey as I will wear it with pride.
DannyVol writes:
Jonathon's story needs to be shared with kids as an example of perserverance. I would not trade his character - and as it turns out, his senior stats - for two Tim Tebows. The kid must love UT more than any of us ever could ever because he truly went through hell. Now, he finally looks like the same kid who burned LSU's All-American safety, LaRon Landry for two long touchdowns. Way to go, Jonathon Crompton, you are a winner!
cdonsbach writes:
I wish I had half of Crompton's resolve. In his situation, I would have given up and transferred after last season. This young man never listened to the doubters and followed his heart the entire length of the journey.
The world could use more people like Jonathon.
I will miss him next season but I know that he will succeed in many things in life because he doesn't have it in his heart to ever give up.
JV67 writes:
I wish all the Vols had Cromptons character. I'll be the first to admit that I was one of the MANY detractors. What a show of guts to keep his head down and prove us all wrong. This may be the greatest improvement by a player in this amount of time in the history of college football. Hope he gets a chance at playing on Sundays.
I also think this is a good sign of things to come. Crompton didn't roll out of bed one morning and suddenly understand how to play quarterback....He just needed a competent coaching staff to coach him up and put him in the position to succeed.
ccVOLSdhf writes:
WOW! What a turn around for JC. Imagine if he had this staff for 3 yrs. We would ba calling him the 2nd PM. 20 TD's 3 int looks pretty PM like to me. Glad to see he has proved to everyone exactly what he can do!! GO..JC..GBO!!
reachpatrickl writes:
For the Tennessee Vols, I give my vote for player of the year to Jonathon Crompton. I am extremely proud for him and his family the way he stuck it out, learned a new system and has become one of the premier quarterback's in the SEC.
For the Crompton's, the treatment of Jonathan last season and the early part of this season will be hard to forget. All I know is I am glad this quality young man has two more games to enjoy, and for us, the Tennessee fans to enjoy him.
GO Crompton
GO Kiffin
GO VOLS
cltvol writes:
The thing that's hard for me to get over is how people took his name and turned it into such an insult. Trashing a 20 yr old's name is inexcusable. I am very glad JC turned it around. The way he rose above it with effort, commitment, character and integrity is as good a story that's come out of UT football in years.
londonvol writes:
ditto
vol98champ writes:
When JC is good he is as good as anybody. I just wish we had been able to see more of the good. Will we ever know how much blame goes to the receivers? If I were the Colts I would draft him in the late rounds.
MidTennVol writes:
I think this kid set the UT football records for class, perseverance and character. His parents should be extremely proud of him, as should his teammates, his previous coaches, his current coaches, and the University of Tennessee as a whole.
Mr. Crompton, the last chapter is indeed looking good. Congratulations.
82cat writes:
I have been around tennesse football for well over 40 yrs.I have seen some great players and some tough players and even those who over achieved. I have NEVER seen anyone give more of their soul for this school than Jon Crompton.
If you ever watched the movie cool hand luke- the part where luke is gettting beat down by a huge man but- he gets up over and over and over till even the man doing the beating begs him to stay down,luke won respect not for winning the fight but for getting back up time after time
Jon- I salute not because you got better and won some games but you won my respect by getting back up when everyone was telling you to stay down.
NJVolFan writes:
For me personally I am the happiest for JC. This young man has endured so much and yet showed more grace and courage than those that have treated him so disrespectfully. After all, despite the passion of sports fans this is STILL a game. Hold you head high JC~you should be proud of your tenure. Thank you for your efforts while playing QB for the greatest team in college football; GO VOLS!
leboeuf1#253129 writes:
Kudos to Crompton. The young man has shown he has both talent and guts. Let's not forget about CLK also. Remember, he stuck with Jon when the consensus was he needed to make a change. The recruits would be well served to pay attention to the way CLK backs his players. This coaching staff knows what they are doing!!!!
givehim6 writes:
Glad to see your last game in Knoxville ended like it did,[even though I'ld liked to seen a TD pass to the end zone in the 4th] with a W, with UT heading to a bowl. Good luck in the future, wether it be on the job or in the NFL. You will always be remembered in VOLland as a suvivor & winner. Now get them cats, and go into the bowl a shoting star!
VolFanInSanAntonio writes:
Simply said....Thank You!
midnite__VOL writes:
Who would have "thunk" it? Good job by all.
Autochthonic writes:
This is the quaterback UT recruited. You are only getting a glimpse of the ability he brought with him. It absolutely reflects on the past regime,their pigheaded and arrogant approaches, and their loss of reality, and what a modern minded coach can bring to the table. It is absolutely ashamed Jonathan didn't have this group behind him from the beginning. You would be seeing not only a great final chapter, but the entire book would be a classic. He would have been right up there with the very best in the country. I think we will see him playing on Sundays.
Madkels writes:
In the 2010 edition of Websters, JC's picture will be added next to the word "perseverence".
I can't say more about a person who could have quit or transferred after all the boos and negativity. What a great young man with tons of character. Best wishes for a bright future.
richvol writes:
I have been one of Crompton's biggest critics. However,he has proven me and many others wrong. I am really happy for him and wish him the best that life can bring. I feel very confident that he will succeed in what ever life has in store for him because he sure overcame tremendous adversity in his playing career and we were all witness to it. GOD bless you Jon...
516milesfromUT writes:
Crompton has been great his whole time at UT. He got up and went to work no matter who Didn't want him too, and gave his all for Tennessee, all the time.Going into NFL camps he has a huge advantage. NOBODY will know more about systems, Tapr room, or the position of quarteback than he. Good luck JC and enjoy the next two games.
Jediphysics writes:
I don't know how or why you stuck through it with us through these difficult two years, but I'm so glad you did. Shame on those calling for your head, especially the morons who sent death threats. You've represented our university well and risen above it all. I agree with the previous poster: I'd rather have you than Tebow. Last year, I'd given up on you. But I could tell, even early on when you (and your receivers) were struggling that there was still a chance for something special. Thanks for earning a new motivational poster: perserverence. I hope to see someone design that one now...
Ringside writes:
The transformation that Crompton has made has been unbelievable. I hae never sen one player improve so much. It would be nice to know how it took place and what it was that helped him turn the corner.God luck JC.
Clevername writes:
Incredible story !!!
Best of luck in the future ... although I know you won't need luck because men with your grit and determination will always be successful.
Go Vols ... and Jonathan !!!
DingoVol writes:
I think JC will impress at the Senior Bowl. The coaches will love his works ethic and ability to perform in practice. He has always been able to do that and now he has taken it to the field. He is big, strong and has a great arm. I bet Kiffin would take him over JaMarcus Russell! I think CLK was proven right about that Bust.
Huttdawg100 writes:
Crompton's final chapter highlights the coaching abilities of Lane Kiffin and Jim Chaney. One has to be impressed by the progress Crompton made under this coaching staff. If one thinks about the 2008 Jonathan Crompton and compares him to the 2009 version, one comes to two conclusions: 1. Dave Clawson has no business in Division 1 football, and 2. Jesse Scroggins should rethink his USC decision. Tyler Bray: in 3 or 4 years, you'll be a rich man.
rockytopatl writes:
I confess to being one of Jon's biggest critics on this board. I recall once writing he would never be an SEC-caliber quarterback. Boy, was I wrong.
Unlike last year, when the coaching staff proved unable to bring him, Stephens or Coleman along, Crompton grew every week this season. He kept getting better, sometimes by amazing amounts. This is a tribute not only to Crompton and his ability to perservere, but also this coaching staff. They know how to develop a player. Jon may well be draftable if he continues to improve during our last two games. Frankly, he's going to need to light it up next week because I fear the UK game will be a shootout.
So Mr. Crompton, and your parents, I salute you. Thanks for putting up with our classless insults, our booing, our disgust. You guys are true Volunteers, and you will long be remembered and admired.
BigErn writes:
Crompton you are the MAN I tell ya. I wish you could come back another year, we would love to have you, and could use you to show Bray the ropes. To bad you gotta go, but go get drafted, and good luck in the NFL. I see you doing big things at the next level.
leedsvol2007 writes:
The 4th quarter of the Auburn game appears to have been the making of Jonathan Crompton.
He was able to carry that quarter into a brilliant game against Georgia and after that he went from a nervous looking player to a confident personna.
I compare it to John Smoltz in 1991. Smoltz went from a nervous pitcher to a commanding presence in big games when he realized he had the tools all he had to do was trust his stuff.
He deserves credit for his perseverance but others deserve a lot of credit. Fulmer, Kiffin and Chaney for believing in him and his Dad for taking him to Sam Wyche who verified that belief.
GoVols!
Ayres_Hall writes:
Time heals all wounds? I wonder how many of you are enjoying your crow?
Yes, thanks John for not listening to us experts. But equal credit goes to Lane Kiffin for staying with his decision against the vile comments seen here and other forums frequented by the experts (us). Kiffin and Chaney have done a marvelous job with the offense when you consider the regular play of our walk-ons, has-beens, and never-wills. Remarkable.
VolHooch42 writes:
Good post Rob.
Watched the end of / post game interviews of the crumbling Notre Dame "empire" last night and enjoyed every second of it. Maybe the arrogant little S#@t will turn pro now and go away because I sure don't want to hear the Heisman drum beats for him again in 10.
Jonathan is a class act and I wish him the best for his last 2 games.
GO VOLS!
Liberal_Vol writes:
Jonathan Crompton is the 2nd best quarterback to play at Tennessee since I've been watching. Rocket arm, athletic, accurate, and DEFINITELY NOT a head-case.
His strongest attribute is his mental ability and toughness. This will serve him well in the transition to pro quarterback.
What a great pro quarterback he is going to be if he goes to someone other than the trash teams in the NFL.
This guy is a huge quarterback! My prediction (for what it is worth) is that Jonathan will be making his team very happy within 3 years.
I hope he gets drafted by someone who has a qb and a team so Jonathan can work his way in through competition. I think he could be on the field starting within 3 years that way. Then, he will light it up!
TrueVol70 writes:
If only all Volunteers (that means every Tennessee Volunteer, not just the athletes) could be like Jonathan Crompton and have his inner strength to endure so much adversity and rise above it all. Thank you, Jonathan, for demonstrating what it means to "Give your all for Tennessee!"
Oenoboy writes:
I am a proud UT fan but the fact that Mrs. Crompton could not watch her son from the stands on Saturdays due to what UT fans were saying about him is shameful. The entire UT Nation owes this family an apology. I'll start.
Dear Crompton family. Please accept all of our apologies for the large number of fans in our ranks who are classless hateful individuals that dehumanize 18 to 22 year old young men simply because they are not perfect every down. Forgive us for not always recognizing or remembering the efforts every player puts forth and the sweat, blood, and tears they leave on the field be it practice or game day. Also forgive us (me included) for giving up on Jonathan even when our new coaching staff did not. What he accomplished is arguably the sweetest crow we have ever eaten and a lesson to us all that we should unconditionally appreciate and root for every young man on the team no matter the mistakes they make. We hope you find it in your hearts to forgive our transgressions and in the future look over that mountain towards us with fondness instead of disdain.
linebam writes:
Thanks, Jonathan, for sticking it out and congratulations for a fantastic turnaround. I'm sorry you didn't get another TD, but Jones is a good receiver who just messed up that time. He had his hands in the wrong position for that catch when he should have cradled it in. Oh well, he'll give you a few more TDs before it's all over.
mhwhite63 writes:
Thank you, Jonathan for having the courage to fight through all you've been through at UT. We will miss you. I hope you go to the NFL and become the rookie of the year and the next Peyton Manning. You sir, are a class act. Vaya con Dios.
westennvol writes:
I ditto your comments, couldn't have ended much better for Jon. Congrats, and our heartfelt apologies and thanks to him for perservering under very difficult circumstances! Congratulations Jonathan! You deserve this as much as anyone ever at UT!
wags32 writes:
Hell! he taught us all a lesson. He is the man.
pammyvol1000 writes:
Way to go JC!! Thanks for all your toughness and your ability to have a good year despite all the haggling and name calling. Good luck !!
tennesseebee writes:
I can't imagine what kind of a great person it takes to face the adversity you have while at UT, Jon. You have been a model student/athelete as well as a tireless recruiter. Thanks, bro.
vestc#256986 writes:
Man I think crompton should be given another year to play with all the turmoil and lack of coaching he received before CLK. Just kidding but almost like an injury! I'm excited to see what CLK can do with tyler Bray and maybe how improved stepens is next season. I think UT is in good hands!
tnvoice#278189 writes:
Please let me add my name to that apology. And let us learn that no one should ever have to endure even a small part of the hatefulness shouted from the stands, on the talk shows, and in our written comments simply because they are not living up to "OUR" expectations. Jonathan your legacy of endurance, perserverance and tolerance should live forever in the Tennessee football history.
halloffamebowler writes:
Clawson worthless at Notre Dame? I always had a feeling you were close to a retard,but this proves it.Why don't you just do the world a favor and fall off the face of the earth?
DennisVols writes:
(C)hooses not to stoop to the level of those who criticizes them
(L)eads by example with hard work and dedication to the teams goals
(A)chieves greatness by never giving up even during times of great adversity.
(S)tands tall among the men on the battle field by taking responsibility for the team.
(S)hines even in the darkness by never quitting even when others say it cannot be done.
We will miss you Jon Crompton and will forever include you in the great memories of UT football.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
dowhatsright writes:
Well said. I agree 100%. He is an inspiration. I think I would have given up.
dowhatsright writes:
Well said. Add my name too.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
Witch Doctor: you know I was one of those pushing for a change at QB. Jonathon Crompton maybe the most improved QB, but i was shocked it took a little longer for the coaches to figure out he is a better rollout and 2 min QB then a pure pocket passer---regardless Crompton did it and good for him.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.