Jonathan Crompton might not have closed the week exactly how he wanted.
The rest of it hardly could have gone better for the former Tennessee quarterback.
Snubbed from the NFL combine later this month, Crompton seemingly took his frustrations out on the practice field this week in El Paso, Texas, earning rave reviews for his arm strength and accuracy leading up to Saturday's Texas vs. The Nation all-star game. And though he and UT teammate Vladimir Richard might have come up short in a 36-17 loss to Texas, Crompton at least will be coming home with something better than one final win in college.
According to various reports throughout the week, perhaps nobody has helped their draft stock lately more than Crompton, who went 9-for-20 for 102 yards and a 36-yard touchdown as the starter for The Nation. The talent level might not have been as high as at the Senior or Shrine bowls, but at least one scout thought Crompton had the most impressive workouts of any quarterback so far during the exhibition season.
"(Crompton was) throwing accurate on short, intermediate and deep passes, as he has done all week," NFLDraftScout.com's Chad Reuter wrote Thursday. "The ball doesn't explode from Crompton's hand, but it almost always comes out tight.
"He gives his receiver a chance to run after the catch and has proven he's the best 2010 draft prospect not scheduled to be at the combine in February."
The Vols will have five other representatives at the event, but Crompton's exclusion was a bit of a surprise given his productive play down the stretch last season.
Crompton struggled early in the season with turnovers and had some difficulty against pressure from Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, but few quarterbacks played better than the UT senior over the last seven games of the regular season and he looked like a viable middle-round selection.
He easily still could be one even without a combine invitation, and his pro potential was reinforced in Texas with a solid week - no matter how it ended on the scoreboard.
Spring Fling: National Signing Day has passed. The coaching staff is complete.
But Derek Dooley will still have to wait more than a month before actually getting on the field to run his first practice as the new coach of the Vols.
Final plans for the spring have not been officially released by UT, but a school official indicated the opening session would likely be March 18 with the Orange and White game on April 17.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
National Signing Day 2010
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 63
rockytopatl writes:
JC had his moments, but I was a little disapointed he didn't get them into the end zone on his last drive. He missed two open guys for touchdowns, which would have given him two for the day and probably an MVP, at least for the losing team. He didn't throw any picks, which was a positive.
I don't think he'll be drafted, but I hope I'm wrong. I'd like to see him get a shot.
TheOpinion writes:
He might be the steal of the draft as far as QBs go.
pj_ladyvolnMI writes:
Keep it up Jonathan and show them what you've got! We're proud of you!
TheDudeAbides writes:
All the hoopla about tebow's 'ability' to be a pro QB, and so little towards JC. What a joke.
stayingorange writes:
Strong comments from the analysts. Good luck JC.
Weatherman writes:
Good luck JC...we wish you the best! Have fun in the pros!
AWOLVol writes:
This kid needs a storybook twist in his football career. Getting drafted - or at least signing on as a free agent - would be a nice new beginning for him. I'd like to see him make it in the league, even if only as a journeyman back-up. I wish him nothing but the best!
jobrando#216494 writes:
His legacy is he got shafted by lousy coaching
tnsportsman writes:
Jonathan good luck, The VolNation is proud of you! Remember Pat Ryan, QB at UT, he played in only a few games at UT but was drafted by the New York Jets and played 9 nine years!
Your arm strength and size makes for a good Pro QB. It's a shame you are not in the NFL combines, prove them WRONG my man!
GBO!
tnsportsman writes:
correction 9 years. To much crowne, LOL.
nwcs writes:
We all wish you well, JC.
tn_rockytop writes:
good luck jc you will always be a vol
eb502us#225637 writes:
I don't think anyone has ever questioned his physical skills or ability, but rather his decision making and football IQ, which is the reason he was so vilified by fans.
I would love to see him make it.
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
What will pizz me off is T-Bow will get a shot and JC will sit if picked up and probably never get a chance. He's more pro-style than Dumbow.
Cldvols1 writes:
Good luck JC, thanks for all the memories!
jack_2222#231746 writes:
Like Peyton said about Casey Clausen, it can be all about timing.
Drafted by the right organization, put in the right offense with the right coaching and who knows? JC definitely has earned his shot.
DenverVol writes:
I sure hope JC gets his shot. I've said it before and I'll say it again, his football IQ has to be through the roof. Think...how many QBs have had an "opportunity" to learn 4 different offenses during their college career? (I say 4 but it's probably more like 3 cause Randy Sanders didn't really contribute much in '05 if my memories serves me)
Anyways, good luck Jon. I'll be looking for you on Sunday's next season.
xvolx writes:
I'd draft him.
csexton14#1381259 writes:
cromptons good
johnnyvol writes:
This young man has been through the ringer while at UT. He will make an N.F.L roster,no doubt!
eldr5#344719 writes:
Crompton is the kind of guy that NFL teams draft in the 7th round based solely on his potential. The guy has a great arm, good feet, and is a really good athlete. He'll get a shot to make somebody's team as a 3rd string developmental QB.
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
He definitely isn't an NFL caliber player right now...but I could see it happening in the future. Everyone associated with him says that he's brilliant and has all the basic mechanics to make it in the NFL, but he NEEDS a team that is willing to develop him.
I usually hate it when people point to one or two players that succeeded despite being initially discarded as definitive proof that "heart" or "dedication" can overcome everything else...but...Kurt Warner.
Crompton's biggest problem is his "vision." He is accurate, he is strong, and he is quick...but he only seems to be able to pass to receivers when he knows EXACTLY where they should be according to the play called.
In any case, I hope his hard work and dedication pay off. He's had a rough time of it at UT and he deserves to catch a break. Throughout his time at UT, he was always the epitome of a class act.
Best of luck to you Jonathan!
jobrando#216494 writes:
A much better pro-style qb than Tebow.
letthebigdoghunt writes:
Heart,dedication,and class well said. Who of us would have put up with the *$#& this young man did.
IBleedOrange71 writes:
JC is coachable, he proved that through all the changes that happened to him at UT. That is what I believe will help him become a great NFL QB.
volfan8#549730 writes:
Jon I am proud of you. I think he is a better QB than Ainge. I agree that Jon is more pro-style than T-bo. I'd like to see JC go to Panthers or Dolphins.
OwensboroVol writes:
"The ball doesn't explode from Crompton's hand," I beg to disagree. I have watched him warm up for several games and I was always amazed at his arm strength. I watched Peyton warmup as well and Jon's Arm is much stronger than Peyton's was. It was always the thing that gave me hope early in the year when he was having trouble. (I still don't know how much was him and how much was the receivers) He throws a football harder than most people can throw a baseball. I see him as a steal in the upcoming NFL draft. Who ever gets him are going to realize they got a prize the first time he practices for them.
SwamisBigOrangeCrystalBall writes:
maybe an element of fans will be but most VOL fans have relaxed into a wait and see attitude. I for one want be bashing until Dooley's 3rd year and we are still a 7-5 team. If we get a QB to step up then 7-5+ would be par for 2010. In 2011 a 9-3 and more better in 2012. I'm hoping Dooley is the General retuning to get this program fixed.
Psychovol writes:
Crompton deserves a chance which is more than he got under Fulmer's regime. Casey Clausen would concur. Manning was the exception but I give Cut the credit for that; not to mention superior genes.
givehim6 writes:
To me it would be funny if Crompton were to get drafted and ended up playing as a starter before Ainge just because he had to wait for all those year behind Ainge. I think after Crompton got himself together he was a better QB then Ainge.
CadmiumOchre (Inactive) writes:
Jonathan, if you ever see this, kindly take my outlook under serious consideration. No man who endured what you did and still performed as well as you did could be undraftable. If NFL people are too dumb to realize the quality they'd have in getting you on their team, don't quit. Make them swallow their words, brains, and whatever is left. If necessary, get into the Canadian League and i dare say after a year of two, you'd have NFL teams begging you to sign with them. THEN, JC, make them pay top dollar because you're darn sure worth it. I backed when fans were booing you to Hades and beyond and I back you now. Go get 'em. You've proven you have the fortitude to overcome anything thrown at you so just stomp this last hurdle into the ground by showing them the gem they dare not miss out on even if they're too stupid to realize that right now..
TrueVol70 writes:
We'll be watching for you on Sundays, Jonathan. You proved yourself to us and can do the same in the NFL. I wish you the very best.
CadmiumOchre (Inactive) writes:
Some Vols fans disappoint me too but why don't you take your complaints to the Gator site, home of Fumble-bow. Interesting how the boy couldn't hold onto the ball (Vols took one from him too)in the ALL-Sta game, again and again. NFL teams' defenses see this and lick their chops.
Yeah, some Vols fans are turncoats, immature, fair weather fans and so on. So are some Gator fans. Zook comes to mind as does Gator fan behavior after the Bamma beat down. Had trouble selling tickets to your bowl. be careful now, WHEN (not if) Meyer crosses a speed bump year at UF, don't exhibit too much displeasure, you might cause his fragile ego a complete break down with no hope of recovery.
No, no, don't cry, just go home to your Gator site and leave the Vols site to Vols.
leedsvol2007 writes:
Yes he missed but those routes require more timing and communication between quarterback and receivers than others.
He showed good footwork, a quick release, and an ability to find the open receiver.
I think JC is a lot like Pat Ryan who had a long career in the NFL eventually becoming a starter. He never lived up to his full potential at UT spent some years on practice squads and ended up being a fine NFL quarterback. He often looked nervous and frequently fumbled snaps when he entered games at UT, played behind poor offensive lines, and spent most of his time as a back-up.
When he got the NFL he matured and developed his skills which lead to his long career.
I think JC could have the same opportunity.
mgdchvol writes:
YOU SICKEN ME!!! GO AWAY!!!!
True_Vol writes:
Good luck JC, thanks!!
feathersax writes:
How's this for a scenario? Jonathan is a late round draftee for the Bears, then proceeds to beat out vandie whiner-boy Cutler as the starting QB. I know Chicago fans are unhappy with the so-called "premiere" free agent QB they signed last year. CrompDaddy is better!
CadmiumOchre (Inactive) writes:
Artist? Me? Well sort of. i sort of march to the beat of a different drummer in a manner of speaking.
For those wondering what the heck we're talking about:
Cadmium orange = http://www.paintmaking.com/orange.htm
Ochre = http://www.cheapjoes.com/art-supply/R...
Thus my screen name.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Nailed it.
vol_till_i_die writes:
J Cromp deserves something good in the draft! Go vols!
VolGrad writes:
Best of luck to you, JC.
Bluesvol writes:
As a fellow Crowne drinker....loookked pretty good to me..
topvol1 writes:
Bringing up Shuler is 100% irrelevant. Shuler was thrown into a situation with a bad team and a worse offensive line after an ill-advised holdout. He played way before he was ready and was never allowed to develop slowly like most QBs need in the NFL. Perhaps if Crompton can make a roster he can eventually get to the point where he can have an NFL career. He certainly proved he has determination and a thick skin.
tomkats3242 writes:
Are you people out of your mind? Crompton was never a good quarterback. The coach did not help him this year but even if we had another coach, he would not be playing. He could only look ONE direction when he called a play and he always gave the direction of the play away. Glad he is gone.
tenuscvol writes:
Hey AtLeastYouDontHaveaPecker...
TeeBow is a great athlete but he will never throw a pass as a NFL Quaterback...
Book it.....
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
HEY! That insult is too close to my screename!
jcherrie#219531 writes:
Hello Topvol1, I agree that bringing up Shuler is 100% irrelevant. But he had 4 years in the league and was God awful. He had one of the lowest QB ratings in league hitstory. If there was any chance he could play in that league someone would have picked him up. The NFL is dying for someone to throw the ball. Shuler saw the writing on the wall and knew he couldn't compete at that level. Sure he battled injuries but never showed much NFL potential at all.
I would guarantee you that any team with a crystal ball wouldn't have given Shuler more than a mid-round draft pick -- hold out -- development time - whatever.
I like JC but no matter how you slice it he's a real long shot. That doesn't mean he won't be the next Kurt Warner but don't bet your mortgage on it. If undrafted QBs were the rule, there would be no Kurt Warner story.
It is a fact that only a small % of 1st round QBs have success -- and a smaller % of 2nd round QBs -- and a smaller % of 3rd QBs etc.
That doesn't mean that JC won't be the next Cinderella story but even the best pro scouts have trouble predicting that.
jcherrie#219531 writes:
Well that's a bold prediction. I don't think that Tebow will be a great QB in the NFL by any stretch but neither is Michael Vick.
I'll bet you on "never throw a pass"
I'd agree - I don't think he'd ever see a full season as an NFL QB with a rating of 85 :)
mytrifecta writes:
Shular had a career ending foot injury but you never hear about that in the stories about his NFL failures. If he remained healthy...we never know how his career would have turned out. Regardless, Crompton has all the tools and time will tell if his talent will show at the NFL level. I wish him nothing but the best.
CroKev writes:
Can someone tell me how many quarterbacks were invited to the NFL Combine? Also, considering Jon's great week according to this one analyst, couldn't they open up one more "wildcard slot" for another QB? How much extra would it cost to fly the guy out and put him in a hotel room. I'll bet we could take up a collection ourselves to make sure it happens!
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