Tennessee began its first season under coach Lane Kiffin with a huge question mark behind its passing game, especially at quarterback. And the question mark extended beyond this season.
The question mark is still there. But it's smaller.
Since the season began, UT has received a commitment from 6-foot-6 Tyler Bray, who originally committed to San Diego State. The quarterback from Kingsburg, Calif., became a hotter property following his summer-camp performances.
His commitment was especially significant because it came after a series of quarterback recruits chose other schools over UT. Based on what has happened this season, Bray might not be the only California quarterback to change his mind.
Chase Rettig and Jesse Scroggins both committed elsewhere this summer after including UT on their list of finalists. Rettig picked Boston College, and Scroggins opted for nearby Southern California.
Halfway through the season, UT might be more appealing when compared to the competition.
Boston College's quarterbacking was in disarray this summer.
Redshirt sophomore Dominique Davis, who won the starting job in the second half of last season, was suspended from the university for academic reasons this summer. He then transferred.
That left the Eagles with no college experience at the position, which eventually went to a surprise candidate.
Freshman Dave Shimskie, a 25-year-old former baseball player, completed 31 of 51 passes for 439 yards and five touchdowns in his first two starts, against Wake Forest and Florida State.
Shimskie and most of the Eagles were awful in a 48-14 loss to Virginia Tech on Saturday. But Mike Marscovetra, another freshman, came off the bench to complete 10 of 16 passes, including two for touchdowns.
If either one of those freshmen establishes himself as a solid quarterback over the second half of the season, Rettig would be at a competitive disadvantage next season as a true freshman.
You probably already know about Scroggins' competitive disadvantage.
Matt Barkley enrolled at USC in January and won the starting job as a true freshman.
He figures to be the Trojans quarterback for the next three or four years, depending on when he moves on to the NFL.
The competition will be nothing like that at UT, where backup Nick Stephens is the only experienced quarterback, and he will be a fifth-year senior next season.
Senior starter Jonathan Crompton also could be a positive factor in UT's recruitment of a quarterback, especially if he can build on the best performance of his career, last Saturday against Georgia.
Coach Lane Kiffin made it clear in preseason that he treats quarterbacks differently from everyone else. It didn't take long for UT fans to realize what he meant by that.
The coach doesn't have a quick hook.
In fact, you could argue that he doesn't even have a hook, based on his refusal to pull Crompton from the starting lineup.
No matter how poorly Crompton played in the first five games - and no matter how much criticism Kiffin received - the coach stuck with the quarterback who won the job in preseason.
I would have given Stephens a chance against UCLA, which capitalized on three interceptions in upsetting the Vols last month. The week after Florida also would have been an appropriate time to make a quarterback change.
But the same decisions that mystify media and fans actually could be appealing to quarterback recruits.
Quarterbacks want a coach who supports them in the worst of times. They want a coach who won't snatch their job away after one bad pass, one bad game, or even a series of bad games.
Kiffin has demonstrated his quarterback loyalty with unmistakable clarity in the first half of the season. Now, it's up to UT's marketing team to spread the message to the right audience.
The same guys who invested in billboard advertising in Florida would be wise to use that medium in Southern California.
The billboard would need nothing more than Kiffin's face and a few words: "I've got your back, quarterback."
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 76
bigorangejeffy writes:
FIRST!
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
Nick Stephens the kid has what it takes to lead this team in 2010...let a freshman or a JUCO learn...
senracjr writes:
LOL I think the bones kinda fibbed there WD
TNParker writes:
You are the man!!
WoodstockVol writes:
A good read. It stands to reason that the QB competition in two years will be much stiffer with significantly better talent on the roster. CLK deserves a lot of credit for sticking by his embattled starting QB with an eye on the long term future of the program.
GreensboroVol writes:
This column is right on the money and I appreciate CLK sticking with his decision to play John Crompton. Crompton had and may still have some confidence issues. Imagine if CLK pulled him for Stevens and then Stevens bombed and Crompton had to go back in. You had a QB whose confidence was shaky at best but now after being pulled from the starting job has to go back in feeling even worse about his job and abilities. Hopefully John Crompton turned the corner Saturday against UGA. However, he may revert to old John Crompton versus Alabama. Who knows, but one thing is for sure and that's CLK knows who are the guys that give UT the best chance at winning and he's going to play them. UT may not win many games this season and that's ok with me. I didn't expect a lot out of this team this year but I wanted to see that program progress was being made week to week. I believe it has been made thus far and will continue to get better. I would love to see UT go down to Alabama next Saturday and take care of business. It may happen it may not but I believe in the big picture of what CLK is building. I believe if UT can get to 6-6 or 7-5 this season it's a marked improvement from the previous year and something that can be built on for next year. I think within 3-4 seasons UT will be competing for SEC championships again and maybe more. Keep up the great work CLK,staff, and players!
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
that makes him the first idiot and you the second for commending him for being such a juvenile----maybe you 2 children should go play in the sandbox together
vut56#231073 writes:
Well, at least John said,"I would have given Stephens a chance...." and notes the "Media and Fans....." So, he acknowledges his past positions. It is too early, of course, for any of us to vote "Crompton for Heisman," as did at least one poster I noted Saturday. However, now, John tries to spin a positive take on Kiffin's loyalty to his quarterback, without admitting either his (Adam's) position was wrong earlier or wrong now. Can't have it both ways. Wishy-washy and spur of the moment seems to best describe Adam's editorial positions.
bigorangejeffy writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
asleep#212036 writes:
I've felt all along that the reason Kiffin stayed with JC was because of recruiting. Not only for the reason Adams discussed but also because he can honestly tell every recruit that there is nobody slated to start next year - the competition is open. By not playing Stephens at all, even when it seemed that decision was costing us chances to win games, he established in recruits' minds that Nick must be really awful and that they might be able to beat him out and actually start as a true freshman. That's probably not true but this is about recruiting after all, not about a boy scout badge for honesty. Since Kiffin has no real pressure to win this year (except from the fans!) he has made a conscious decision to risk a poorer record this year for better recruits/records down the road. Now if his experiment with JC magically continues to work out in Tuscaloosa and beyond, then he wins the lottery - he wins games this year and qb recruits for the future. If not, there's always next year, and the next, and the next.... The man's got a plan and by gosh, he's not deviating from it. Go Vols!!!
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
Elite QB prospects look for three things when choosing a program: 1)quality position coaching, 2)elite receivers, and 3)a stout offensive line.
I think that Kiffin has definitely put together a receiving corps that could become the most talented in UT history. However JC's up and (mostly) down performance doesn't speak well for our QB coach...neither do all the rumors flying around about how bad Nick Stephens is. CLK is working on bringing in offensive linemen, but my cat seems more willing to wear a sweater than the OL prospects are to commit early.
In my opinion, UT should stop its neverending evaluation of Cameron Newton and freaking offer the kid a scholarship. A Juco QB is exactly what UT NEEDS. I think that Bray is going to be a national superstar, but he's not going to do it in his first year. Newton would give UT the cushion it needs to develop Bray and provide us with a competitive edge against Bama and Florida; an edge that a true freshman QB just won't be able to provide. CLK needs to be careful because if he withholds a scholarship offer to Newton in the hopes that Scroggins or Rettig will wise up and commit to UT, he might end up with none of them. I sure am glad that it's not my decision.
smyrnavol writes:
Hey Doc. Way off topic. Have not been able to get on here in a few. Whatever happened to the witchy doc, doc witch, or what she called himself? also cavedude? You put the voodoo hex on em? GO VOLS!!!
FullPhilmer writes:
where are all the Crompton haters?? well wherever you people are I now hope that you all realize that none of you know anything about the game of football and that you should always trust the intuition of some NFL coaches over your own.. Crompton 4 Heisman!!.. UT 21 UA 20.. GO VOLS!!
tennezz writes:
Thanks for the update Witchy!
DennisVols writes:
Kiffin's loyalty was twofold. This article just touch on one side of it.
As has been tossed around on these blogs. both Crompton and Stephens have had different OC's every year with different offensive schemes. The passing game relies more on timming than the running attack. As we all saw all of last year and through most of the first 5 games this year the timming was way off. Passes behind, long, short, in front of receivers, receivers not perpared to catch a pass, dropping passes. None of this would have changed with a change in QB.
Now some would guess maybe NS would have developed that timming quicker than JC but it is obivious the coaching staff didn't feel that way. To have made the change everyone thought should be made would have taken the development of the passing game back 1 or 2 steps. Not because NS is less of a QB but because the style, speed and delivery of the passes are different and UT would have had to start the timming development all over again with a change.
Each game Crompton got a little better as did the receivers in getting to the position on the field where the ball was being thrown and being perpared to catch it.
I have to admit I did not see the big change we saw against GA happening. I am glad to see it arrive. Now lets work on improving it even more. The roll out will be necessary against Bama and SC. They have much better defenses than GA and will put more pressure on Crompton.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
jimr07 writes:
Looks like you have solved the problem. good job.
smyrnavol writes:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! My attemp at lol. Only person that heard it was the wife. The sleeping wife. not good, but but i blamed it on you(he he!). You crack me up. Best doc i'm seeing now! Least you cause me no pain! Keep it up. GO VOLS!!!
midtnfan writes:
You have none of the three things you suggested. So why should any elite QB want to play for BOZO?
leedsvol2007 writes:
I heartily agree with you.
Crompton has the ability he just needed to earn his own confidence. He took a big step against Auburn and a still bigger step last week against UGA.
Kiffin saw this and was patient enough to let it happen.
GoVols!
midtnfan writes:
Crompton is still Crompton, when the heat is applied he will fold like a cheap suit.
VOLKING writes:
You are the stick that stirs the pot. Must be a slow night at the Quickie-Mart.
the10sevol writes:
i'll see your 6-6 or 7-5 and raise you to 7-6 or 8-5. no way this team loses a bowl game, as hard as they've worked this year. good post.
GBO
the10sevol writes:
have to admit, i'm starting to reconsider cam. his size and speed would be valuable behind an o-line losing so many starters. don't relish the thought of throwing a true freshman into that situation. assume he's on the visit list this weekend, so hope he plays lights-out. he has a cannon for an arm, which doesn't hurt. we'll see what happens.
GBO
CoverOrange writes:
Is there an obvious factor being overlooked? There was a reason Heath Shuler, Peyton Manning, Brandon Stewart, Tee Martin came to Tennessee and that was the QB guru named Cutcliffe. Kiffin needs to prove there is still a QB guru here by turning a never-was-been that couldn't complete a pass on the first bounce into a TD throwin' machine. Even if the job was wide open, why would anyone go to, say, Slippery Rock unless there was the reputation of a high quality QB factory.
unclesmoke writes:
Clk is young and still very new to being a head coach, but he is only going to get better. He knows how to recruit, I bet he would admit hes made some bad calls this year, but he has definately given us hope to build on. I dont see us beating Alabama, but with him at the wheel I can still image a upset. Im on the Lane train and I cant wait till we can dominate. Its comming, and its comming soon. I smell fear in the Lane hatters. We will have the last laugh.. Go Vols!!!!!!!!!!
Shep818 writes:
Smokeybones- you show your ignorance as you do so many times on this website... 5 of our 10 coaches from our coaching staff all have NFL experience. Not to mention, Monte Kiffin has spent 26 seasons coaching in the NFL before coming to UT... And he developed the Tampa Cover 2 defense. But you probably have no idea what that is because you are some nerd doooooosher.
cybervol writes:
in response to midtnfan:
"You have none of the three things you suggested. So why should any elite QB want to play for BOZO?"
Your football team is the worst I've seen this season. Congratulations, and STFU!
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
First off, who is BOZO? If you're making fun of Coach Kiffin that's even less creative than the idiots that think that "Coach KiTTen" is creative wordplay.
UT has an elite recruiting corps coming in with this next recruiting class (Cobb, Ambles, Milton, and Meline). Scout.com is reporting today that offensive lineman Juwuan James has decommited from Bama and will likely commit to UT. I admit that we may need a new QB coach (because David Reaves was hired for his ability to recruit...not coach quarterbacks), but I'll wait and see what he can do with Bray before passing ultimate judgment.
In short, while UT isn't a complete picture it is all coming together and THAT is why any elite QB should want to play for COACH LANE KIFFIN AND THE FREAKING UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS...@$$hole.
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
Just to clarify, that Juwuan James story is about a week old...I just saw it today for the first time and assumed it was new. The NEW story is that his visit to Rocky Top went fantastic this weekend. UT is his top pick right now but he's not ready to commit. Freaking offensive linemen, worse than cats in sweaters.
TommyJack writes:
Overlooked here. A good article by Adams.
Brillovol writes:
Brillovol say Bayou John coming out of shell...
Dang WD, I've read enough of your posts that I'm thinking like you now.
Back to the point: two positive UT posts in a row, momentum, Bama matchup pending, LSU needing Bama to lose two games? Even I can read through this positive reporting! I'll take what I can get. ;)
HITMAN writes:
you can bet that Scroggins is thinking alot about UT....unless his college career plans include riding the pine
gslaton#227127 writes:
My experience has always been that you get the most advice on your decision from the people who have no responsibility for the outcome. In this case, fans and sports writers. Win or lose, I like that Kiffin is "standing in the pocket" against the blogging blitz! (I luv a good metaphor) He's the coach, he has to live with his choice.
WytheVol writes:
Go easy there VolAlum2003. He's just trying to get under our skin.. Us VOL fans are on the Lane Train. However, I wouldn't write Reaves off yet. Crompton has played under too many offensive systems to say that Reaves and Kiffin isn't doing a good job. Unless Crompton finishes the season like the last 5 quarters, it'll be hard to say this year... And even then we won't know for sure. We need some time on that one. Don't let these guys and gals fire you up to the point of their childish behavior. We are VOLS and proud to be! They can say what they want. Most of em know UT is on the rise, they gotta take their shots now. Because they know their time is limited!
GO VOLS!
DC_Vol writes:
Who cares who created the defense? Monte Kiffin perfected the defense!!! The top ten defense 10 out of 12 years in the NFL. That is all that matters. He currently ranks 12th in college football overall. You are like the other Florida trolls who tried to claim Monte's coaching would not translate to college. I notice none of you trolls are talking trash about Monte anymore. HA HA!!! How does it feel to be wrong yet again???
Monte held Tim Tebow the Heisman trophy winner and the supposed #1 team in the country to 115 yards passing and no passing touchdowns. Monte caused Meyer to call 24 run plays for Tebow because he hadn't developed these supposed great Florida 5* WR who have done basically nothing this year. All they do is block for Tebow. Same thing happened in the LSU game. Monte is probably the best defensive coordinator in the country or at least belongs in the conversation. Certainly better than Charlie Strong.
Vol86 writes:
Part of the reason for the sport is to build charactor. I think Kiff is doing this.
FearTheVols1252 writes:
I agree that JC has been up and down, but he’s showed some steady improvement the last couple weeks. If his improvement continues you won’t be able to put a price tag on the value of that to recruits. It shows that we can take a player with a lousy track record and coach them up into a very respectable QB. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that his improvement continues… then the prospects will be swarming to get to us.
jakethevolguy writes:
For those posters stating how "bad Nick Stephens" is well, I don't understand where you are getting that. CLK has stated that Nick is very close to JC and that he had a difficult time deciding which one to name as the starter at the beginning of the season. He went with JC because he had a better understanding of the offense and what the coaches wanted to do. Unless Bray can come in and blow the coaches away I believe that Nick WILL be the QB next year. GBO!!!
seventysevenvol writes:
Crompton had a phenomenal game against a terrible Georgia football team. It's not time to start the coronation yet, but he does deserve kudos for continuing to plug while about 100,000 fans were screaming for his head. Kiffin's staying with him because, in his opinion apparently, the alternative is no better, if not worse. Not sure if this is a good week to have off or not, unless for injuries to heal and recruiting. Might have been better to be preparing for Bama while things are clicking mentally and emotionally so well...not easy when the staff is gone on the road. This can give the players time to drift into other modes of thought, especially tied in with the fall break at UT this week. My Vol jury is still out. They won huge jury points at Florida, but nothing much against a bad Georgia team in disarray. Let's see what we take to Bama next week. If Crompton plays stellar there, he deserves all the praise and adulation associated- and what's more, the fact that Kiffin knew better all along...
commonsense32 writes:
This post is in reference to some posts of the past and does not necessarily reflect on any post in this story, I just wanted to address what I have read on here a few times.
I have never heard a recruit say; " Well I chose Tennessee because I was reading there fan websites and they seemed like they never turned on their own, never had a disagreement". Likewise I have never heard a recruit say;" I didn't choose UT because they turn on their own, or they disagree all the time".
So when you posters say, recruits read these boards and see when you are putting the players or coaches down and that will somehow affect their decision to choose this or any other university, you are simply stating false information, and it IS NOT TRUE!
midtnfan writes:
You still don't have a QB coming in that will make a difference in the near future.
sambosam411 writes:
Seems like you know about cheap suits, with your cheap shots. Sure you are not a UGA or Florida fan? Sound like a fair-weather fan, who never played a down in their life and boos the cheerleaders. Jog it On, and quit wasting our time. Thanks!
sambosam411 writes:
I would not worry about this loosers posts. This ignorant so-called fan will have posters of Kiffin in a few years, talking like I told everyone he was a good coach. Middle Tennessee? Why don't you keep the real football where it belongs in Knoxville. Jog It On Fool!
jakethevolguy writes:
I think that midtnfan is probably a Dores fan.
Brillovol writes:
Um, not to bust your waaaay too puffed out chest, but neither Coach Noll, Coach M. Kiffin, or Coach Dungy took full credit for the system put in place in Tampa. Truth is, the Tampa D was similar but distinctly different from Pittsburg's D. So to say who develped the famed Tampa 2? I go with the coaches and give equal credit to Dungy and Kiffin.
Dippity-do? Really?
Hounddog writes:
The Hounddog thinks WD the best. Go Vols!
Let's play football. Hounddog
DC_Vol writes:
VolAlum2003,
I agree with the majority of your post. Good Analysis on what QB's look for when choosing a program.
QB's also look at the competition ahead of them. I believe if we had selected Newton, we quite possibly could have scared Bray away. I do know, Bray selected UT without having Newton ahead of him. Bray has not signed his letter of intent and will be unable to until signing day. I have heard other schools will be offering scholarships real soon now that Bray placed second at the Elite 11 Quarterback Challenge right behind Heaps. We do not want to do anything that will cause Bray to change his mind. Bray is going to be a superstar at UT!!! GBO!!!
tennesseebee writes:
I said this some time back. He's sticking with Crompton, in part, to show future recruits that he will give his QB every chance. I believe CLK knows what he is doing. Also, he's building the rep that if he approaches a recruit with a scholly in hand, it's because he is the best in that position and will play, (at this point, anyway), immediately. Foundation is being set. Power of the T, baby!
StroVol writes:
Aaaahhhhhhhhhhhh SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hueypilot writes:
The post about Cam Newton causes me to pose the question: Is there a juco qb who has made the jump to D1 at a big school in a good conference who has made a significant impact? I can't think of but one offhand but I'm sure others here can????? Billy Whittemore, a product of Brentwood HS about ten years ago got caught in a coaching change as a freshman at MTSU, went to some juco in Kansas and eventually landed at Kansas under the fatman, and had a big last two years slinging it all over the lot in their high powered offense. But I don't know of others of note. We already have Lemaison (sp?) who posted gaudy numbers in juco, but others have said he'll never see the field.
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