Player To Watch

Regularly, I will be highlighting a "Player to Watch" for the upcoming season. This player will be someone who wasn't a "star" last year, but someone that I predict will excel in 2009.

The first player on The GURU's mind is Tennessee Senior QB Jonathan Crompton. After the graduation of Erik Ainge following the 2007 Season, many expected Crompton to have a pretty good 2008. But Phil Fulmer decided to hire a new Offensive Coordinator (which in my opinion was the beginning of the end for Fulmer's tenure in Knoxville). Instead of blossoming in his first year as a starter, the offense sputtered. He ended up being relegated to a Triple QB system and the offense finished an Anemic 115th out of 119 teams. A far cry from the power that was displayed under Heath Shuler, Peyton manning, Tee Martin, Casey Clausen, and the aforementioned Ainge.

That's where Lane Kiffin steps in. Kiffin began his career in the College game being coached by one of the best offensive minds in the business: Jeff Tedford in 1998 as a back-up QB at Fresno State. His coaching resume includes an impressive stint at USC where he was TE Coach, WR Coach, Passing Game Coordinator, and eventually Offensive Coordinator. Under his tutelage, Kiffin was a key catalyst in the development of a laundry list of studs that include Matt Leinart, John David Booty, Dwayne Jarret, Dominique Byrd, Mike WIlliams, Steve Smith and Keary Colbert just to name a few. So, it makes sense that Crompton will be the next in line to recive the "Kiffin Offensive Upgrade".

Crompton was said to have a great spring, and should greatly improve on his number's from last year. He has the talent, and with the addition of some key incoming freshman playmakers, expect Crompton to have a very successful year.