Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton is the runaway winner for most improved honors in the SEC this season based on where he was in September and where he is right now.

Crompton, a fifth-year senior, heads into Saturday night’s game at Kentucky with 25 touchdown passes, second in the league. During his last seven games, he’s thrown 18 touchdown passes and just three interceptions.

The person least surprised by Crompton’s performance is Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin, who said back in August that he thought Crompton had a chance to be a middle-round selection in the NFL draft.

“I really thought he was going to have a great year,” Kiffin said. “He’s worked so hard. He has all the tools and prepared for this season. I really thought he was going to play great and play as well as anybody in the conference. It’s been great to see this.”

Kiffin said the rough patch Crompton went through in September was more about what was going on around Crompton with all the injuries to receivers and an overall lack of chemistry in the passing game.

“Finally, it calmed down and guys stayed healthy for a little bit, and I think that’s showed,” Kiffin said.