Walter Fisher’s arrival has been a long time coming. The wait was well worth it.

"I think it made me a better person," said Fisher, a defensive end who signed with Tennessee on Thursday afternoon. "Coming straight out of high school and going to UT, I would have been a loose cannon. I’m way more mature than I was, football and otherwise."

Fisher signed with UT in 2004, but now he’ll part of the 2006 signing class. Academics forced the former Hillsboro High School star to Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. Fisher attended the junior college for two years.

"I’m real excited to see something new," he said.

Fisher played one year at Coffeyville meaning he’ll have three years of eligibility at UT.

"That will give me time to learn everything," Fisher said. "I’m trying to be like a sponge and soak in everything."

Fisher also will get a head start on most of his fellow 2006 signees. He’ll enroll in January.

"That will help me a lot, let me get in early and learn the schemes so I can be a factor," Fisher said.

Fisher said he’s grateful for the Coffeyville experience, although he admits the small Kansas town could be boring at times. Still, the sidetrack seemed like a blur.

"It passed real fast," Fisher said of the experience. "It feels like just a couple of weeks. Now I’m on my way to UT."

Fisher said he had over 150 tackles last season and 67 quarterback hurries. Fisher said he had one sack in a year full of near-miss opportunities.

Fisher said he is a much different player than the 240-pounder that signed with UT in 2004. Fisher said he weighs 269 pounds and has increased his bench press from 255 pounds to 355 pounds.

"I’m a lot different," Fisher said with a hearty laugh.

Through all the changes and challenges, UT’s coaching staff always kept its eye on Fisher.

"I talked to coach (Steve) Caldwell almost everyday," Fisher said, referring to UT’s defensive ends coach. "I love that. It makes me feel like they didn’t forget about me.

"At first I was thinking people were going to forget about me. That wasn’t even the case."

The stay in Kansas must have been humbling for Fisher, who played in front of crowds that were a fraction of the size of those that regularly attend games in Neyland Stadium.

"No where near 100,000-plus fans," Fisher said comparing the two settings. "I have been thinking about that. How am I going to act when I see all those people?

"I’m not trying to hype it up. I’m just trying to let it come to me and make plays."

Fisher was a linebacker in high school. Then, he grew into a defensive end. Could he play defensive tackle at UT?

"I don’t even care," he said. "Anywhere that I can get on the field, it doesn’t matter. I prefer defensive end."

There appears to be a great opportunity for Fisher at defensive end. UT lost its two 2005 starting defensive ends, seniors Parys Haralson and Jason Hall.

"Yeah, but I know they have two (other) defensive ends coming back," Fisher said. "I’m just ready to get in the rotation and see how I can contribute."