Linebacker Chris Walker of Christian Brothers High School in Memphis made an unofficial visit to Tennessee on Sunday and Monday. He left Knoxville on Monday night to visit Clemson.

Walker said he spoke to UT coach Phillip Fulmer for about 1 1/2 hours during his visit. He said Fulmer stressed Walker's importance to the 2007 signing class.

"He said they want to keep the kids in state because this class is one of best in-state classes they've had in a while," Walker said. "They can have a good year with in-state guys."

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Walker said the idea of playing with the best players from across the state is a big draw to UT.

"It'll be very good to have all the Tennessee people rooting for Tennessee kids," he said. "It would be more fun than (at an out-of-state school) being rooted for but not as much as the in-state kids."

Walker has received scholarship offers from 14 schools, including Tennessee, Al-abama, LSU, Auburn, Miami (Fla.), Michigan and Memphis. Walker said he has no leader but hopes to narrow his list to about 10 schools in the next two weeks.