Tennessee fans have been wondering just what type of player would emerge from a two-year mission when J.T. Mapu returned to Knoxville.

Mapu, who may get a chance to contribute on the defensive line, would love to provide some insight, but he’s not real sure himself.

Here’s what Mapu knows. He’s grown a half-inch. He’s now 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds. He was 280 pounds when he left UT in January 2004.

"I’m excited to get back into shape," Mapu said during a phone interview Tuesday from his home in Kahuku, Hawaii. "Basically, I’m going to be living in the weight room."

Mapu and his fellow missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were only allowed 30 minutes of free time per day to pursue activities such as working out. The participants were also allowed one "free day" per week but not allowed to visit public workout facilities.

Mapu said he spent most of his time running because there was no weight training equipment available. He also spent 10 hours a day on a bike spreading the church’s message.

That means cardiovascular conditioning won’t likely be nearly as limiting as Mapu’s strength level.

Conventional wisdom would lead one to believe that Mapu would be hard pressed to contribute immediately, even though UT is replacing three of four starters on the defensive line. But Mapu’s UT career never followed such logic.

Mapu was an immediate contributor as a freshman, playing in 12 games at defensive end in 2002 despite lifting very little weights during his high school career.

The following year he started 11 games at defensive tackle. Mapu had 26 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss including two sacks and four quarterback hurries. UT coaches raved about his potential.

"I think so but I’m not sure," Mapu said when asked if he could contribute soon after his return to Knoxville on July 25. "I think the only way I’ll find out is when I get there."

Mapu will have three years to play two seasons. He admitted that the long layoff has him wondering about possibly redshirting this season.

"I think that would be good for me to get back in shape, get my strength back and get in the swing of things," Mapu said. "But I’m willing to do what the coaches want me to do."

Whether it’s this year or next, Mapu said he’s ready to focus on football and rekindle the promising career that he left behind.

"That’s always been a dream for me," Mapu said of playing in the NFL. "It’s definitely a focus, try to do my best at this level and see if I can take it to the next."

Mapu spent the first 18 months of his two-year mission in Houston, Texas. Then, he was transferred to Sulphur, La.

"It was a good experience," Mapu said. "I liked it a lot. I learned a lot. I’m happy I went. You grow spiritually. I learned a lot about myself."

There wasn’t much time to follow the outside world during his mission, Mapu said. That meant UT’s disappointing 2005 season came in short bursts of information from his family. The news was shocking.

"They gave me updates on how we were doing," Mapu said. "I’d heard we were ranked number three. Then, the next thing I heard — toward the end of the season — we weren’t doing too well. But that’s all right. I’m sure they’ve been working hard. I’m looking forward to joining them."

Mapu may not come back stronger but he’s sure he’ll come back more mature. Dealing with those less fortunate has had a profound effect.

"Seeing other people that don’t have much," he said, "I often thought to myself, ‘I’m very blessed in life.’"

Mapu knew when he left that many wondered, or even doubted, that he’d ever return. He never did.

"I knew I was going to come back," he said. "The commitment they (UT) showed to me and let me go out and do a mission, that meant a lot to me."

Arriving in Knoxville will mean a lot as well, maybe even more than returning to his original home in Hawaii last week.

"I was excited to come home," he said. "But I’m really excited to get back over there and get with everyone, get back into it.

"It’s been a long time."