If the comparisons made by Chris Walker’s coaches at Christian Brothers High School come true, the linebacker should have a successful career at Tennessee.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder from Memphis signed a national letter of intent to play for UT on Feb. 7.

Walker said he plays a style similar to Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers. Walker’s coaches compare him to Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jevon Kearse.

UT’s coaches would probably be happy with either.

Walker talked about taking advantage of his athleticism and working toward a degree at UT in this GVX Q&A.

Q: What was your most memorable moment from an official visit?

A: I think the last night (at UT) going into Neyland Stadium and just looking at how big it was and talking with the players and everybody that was there and talking to Coach Fulmer and all the coaches and just seeing where I’d be playing. That was one of the best moments on my official.

Q: What did you think when you walked into Neyland Stadium?

A: It was just a really big shock. I know it’s big, but when you come in there and there’s not anybody in the stands and you just look up and look around, it’s very huge. That’s something I really like doing, is playing in front of really big crowds.

Q: What was your least favorite part of the recruiting process?

A: Probably just the constant text messages and phone calls. It kind of became a hassle at one point, but I got used to it. It’s kind of bad saying you’re getting tired of being wanted. It’s been a blessing. I just took everything in stride.

Q: You committed in early December. Did that make the last two months of recruiting easier?

A: Not really. It kind of picked the recruiting up more because they still knew that I hadn’t signed. They still thought they had a chance with me. I kind of put all of that to rest with the whole Nick Saban thing. I told him I was firmly committed to Tennessee.

Q: Who has made the most significant influence on your football career?

A: Probably my mom. She supports me in everything I do. She really didn’t want me to play, but when I wanted to play she was behind me every step of the way in everything. My mom’s a real big part of my life.

Q: How helpful has your mother’s support been?

A: It’s been really important. There’s sometimes when I come home and sometimes I’m mad. She’s always been there. She’s never given up on me. I’m thankful for that.

Q: When did you know you would have a future in football?

A: Going into my sophomore year, my linebackers coach and my head coach sat down with me and they were just like, ‘If you listen to us and do what we tell you and put out there what we teach you, you’ll probably be one of the most highly sought after kids to come out of Christian Brothers.’ I bought into that and worked hard and it’s come true.

Q: What was your reaction when your coaches said you could be that highly touted one day?

A: I was thinking I was alright in freshman ball. I knew I had to work really hard to get there. I really didn’t think it was going to be like it was, but it came out like they told me it would be.

Q: Is there any player that plays with a similar style to you?

A: I kind of look at Julius Peppers. I like the way he plays a lot. A lot of my coaches say I could be a Jevon Kearse type player.

Q: Do they say that because of your athleticism?

A: That’s what I think it is. Coach (Kevin) Locastro compared me to (Kearse) a lot. He told me I’ve got the athleticism just like those guys.

Q: What are goals for yourself at UT?

A: Short term, to get in there and earn a spot and be really cool with the guys that I’m going to be playing with and build relationships up there. I really want to get my degree from Tennessee. That’s why I’m going up there early so I can graduate in a few years. That’s probably my short term and long term stuff. It’s always good to want to try to play in the NFL, but if that doesn’t work out I’m still going to have a degree from a really good college.

Q: What is your favorite part about playing football?

A: I’m a real big collision-type guy. That’s what I like most about it because you can abuse people as much as you want to and get away with it.

Q: Who is your favorite athlete?

A: I think Amare Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns center). I just love the way he plays. He plays hard. He has rise. He jumps a lot. He jumps over people. I just like the way he plays. I kind of play like him in basketball. I just love watching him play.

Q: What athletic moment are you most proud of?

A: It was probably in 2004 when my AAU basketball team (Memphis Magic) won the national championship. It really didn’t hit us until we left the gym and we went out to eat and sat down and we had our medals around us and we were like, wow. All the work we put into it and everything we did paid off and we won the national championship. We’ve been working for it since we were little kids and we stayed together and we knew it would happen sometime and it came.

Q: The NCAA tournament is approaching. Do you have a team you expect to get upset?

A: The team I would like to get upset, maybe North Carolina. I think they’re really young and their youth and inexperience is going to show up some time at tournament time.

Q: How about a potential sleeper?

A: I think Vanderbilt can do really well if (Derrick) Byars comes out and plays. I think Vanderbilt probably.

Q: And your national champion pick?

A: I hate to say it, but I think Florida.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.