The last time Tennessee went looking for its next staple quarterback, the Vols’ recruiting reach stretched over 2000 miles to Northridge, Calif.

That reach just extended a little farther.

On Wednesday, Tennessee signed two quarterbacks vying to replace departed four-year starter Casey Clausen.

Erik Ainge of Hillsboro, Ore.; and Brent Schaeffer of Deerfield Beach, Fla., were the Vols only two quarterback signees of the 2004 class, but UT coach Phillip Fulmer is confidence two will be enough.

“I think having two of them competing with each other and making each other better gives us one of the more solid quarterback situations we’ve had in a couple years,” Fulmer said.

“I can’t wait to get them on campus and see where they are.”

While neither Ainge nor Schaeffer will participate in spring drills as Clausen did, Fulmer said both will compete with returning quarterbacks C.J. Leak, Rick Clausen and Bo Hardegree.

“I don’t expect them to come in and conquer the world,” Fulmer said. “Ability will overtake experience – it’s just a matter of how quick that happens.”

Ainge was named Oregon’s Gatorade Player of the Year and was rated by SuperPrep as the nation’s 19th-ranked quarterback prospect. At Glencoe High, the nephew of former NBA great Danny Ainge led the state in touchdowns, passing yards and completions.

Schaeffer was rated as the No. 7 dual-threat quarterback prospect by Rivals.com and threw for 2,177 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior at Deerfield High. He also ran for 397 yards and 12 rushing TDs.

“They both fit our system pretty well,” Fulmer said. “They both come from a passing offense and have good pocket presence.

“These kids are really talented.”

As a whole the Vols signed 20 new recruits with four more already enrolled for spring practice.

Spring drills start on March 19, and the Orange and White game is scheduled for April 17.