University of Tennessee Athletics
Seven Questions with the '07 Newcomers ??? Chris Walker
August 24, 2007 | Football
Height: 6-3
Weight: 220
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn.
High School: Christian Brothers
What set UT apart in the recruiting process?
???It was all about the family feel and the people that were up here. I made the decision based on where I would be the most comfortable as a person and a football player for the next four or five years. We talked about family when I was visiting up here, and that???s something I want to be a part of.???
You tried to sell a lot of other recruits on Tennessee after you committed. What was your motivation for doing that?
???I went after the guys that I thought were like me. I wanted this to be something special. We already had some veteran guys, and I wanted to bring in guys that could fit with the personality of the team.???
You moved from linebacker to defensive end late in camp. How is the transition going?
???It is going well. I will have to get used to it. I was just starting to get everything down at linebacker, but now I???ve got to start over. I played defensive end my entire senior year of high school and in certain packages when I was a junior, so it won???t be too bad of a switch for me.???
What is your take on the recruit rankings and the hype that often follows high school kids into college football?
???We???re all on the same level now, the guys with one star and the guys with five. High school was high school and none of that matters now. We were all good players and we all had our good times, but everybody is on a level playing field now and has to make the most of his abilities all over again.???
What do you like to do in your free time?
???I just hang out a lot. I am a funny person. I spend a lot of my free time playing jokes on people. I???m a really laid back person, so I like to just have a good time with people.???
What did you want to grow up to be when you were little?
???It might sound funny, but I wanted to be a Power Ranger when I was little. As I grew up, I realized that probably wasn???t the best career for me, so I set my sights on being a pro football player.???
Is there a pro player you think you play like?
???Jevon Kearse. I grew up watching him. My coaches in middle school and high school told me I was similar to him. When he left the Titans, I kind of changed to an Eagles fan because they already had Donovan McNabb. I followed the Eagles before he played for them, but I became a bigger fan once he signed with them.
By Tony Williams, UT Sports Information
