Jonathan David Crompton (born July 25, 1987) is a former American football quarterback having briefly been a member of the New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Washington Redskins after being drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. In addition, Crompton played for the Edmonton Eskimos and Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at the University of Tennessee. On March 27, 2023 he was named head coach of his former high school Tuscola in Waynesville, NC.
Early years
Crompton was raised in Asheville, North Carolina and played two seasons of football at Clyde A. Erwin High School in Asheville. Before his junior season, Crompton moved to Waynesville, North Carolina in 2003 to finish his high school career at Tuscola High School. He was a Parade All-American in his senior season for the Tuscola Mountaineers. In 2003 and 2004, he was the named to the 3A All-State, All-Western and All-Mountain Athletic Teams, as well as being two-time player of the year. In 2004, he threw for 2,423 yards and 24 touchdowns on his way to an invite to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where his performance earned him the "Army of One" award.
Crompton was a five-star recruit by Scout.com and the third ranked quarterback in the class of 2005 behind Mark Sanchez and Ryan Perrilloux.
College career
2005 season
In 2005, Crompton enrolled at the University of Tennessee to play college football under head coach Phillip Fulmer. He redshirted his freshman year.
2006 season
In 2006, Crompton saw little action until an injury to starting quarterback Erik Ainge led to his first significant playing time against #13 LSU. Replacing Ainge in the second quarter, he threw for 183 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in the Volunteers' 28–24 loss at Neyland Stadium. The following week was Crompton's first-ever collegiate start against Arkansas at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Croptom would go 16-of-34 for 174 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception as the Volunteers lost 31–14. Ainge's return against Vanderbilt meant limited playing time for Crompton. Crompton finished the season 31-of-66 passing with four touchdowns and two interceptions.
2007 season
As a sophomore in 2007, Crompton saw action as a reserve in seven games. He threw his lone touchdown of the season, a 49-yard pass to wide receiver Kenny O'Neal, in a 59–7 home victory over Louisiana-Lafayette. He finished the season 7-of-12 passing for 98 yards, two interceptions, and one touchdown.
2008 season
In 2008, Crompton started the first four and the final two games of the season in the midst of what would be head coach Phillip Fulmer's last season with the Volunteers. He was the starter in wins over Alabama-Birmingham, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt; however, his erratic play within the offensive scheme of newly hired offensive coordinator Dave Clawson contributed to a poor season for Tennessee, where they went 5–6 and missed a bowl game, and the subsequent firing of Fulmer. He finished the season 86-of-167 passing (51.5%) with five interceptions and four touchdowns.
2009 season
When Lane Kiffin was hired as head coach of the Volunteers, he named Crompton the starting quarterback prior to the 2009 season. Crompton, as a senior, finally achieved some success with the program. In Kiffin's first game as the Volunteers' head coach, Crompton had a great outing with 233 passing yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions in the 63–7 home victory over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Crompton led Tennessee to an upset 45–19 home rout of the Georgia Bulldogs and was named the AT&T National Player of the Week. In a game at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, against undefeated, top-ranked, and eventual national champion Alabama, Crompton's passing had Tennessee in position for a game-winning field goal in the final seconds, only to see the kick blocked by Terrence Cody as the Crimson Tide escaped with a 12–10 win. Crompton won five of his last seven starts in the regular season before the Vols lost 37–14 to Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-a Bowl. Crompton finished the season with 27 touchdown passes, 13 interceptions, and a 58.3% completion percentage.
Statistics
Professional career
San Diego Chargers
Crompton was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round with the 168th overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft. He was waived during final cuts on September 4, 2010, was re-signed to the Chargers' practice squad the next day, but was released on September 7, 2010.