Tennessee has ground to make up with Marlon Walls, but the Vols have plenty of time to do it.

Walls, a linebacker from Wooddale High School in Memphis, said Ole Miss, Auburn and Florida occupy the top three spots on his list of schools. UT is a close fourth.

Ole Miss and Auburn have an early edge because they were the first to offer Walls a scholarship. Florida and UT just recently made an offer.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Walls said although the Vols made the later offer, their standing can still improve.

"Tennessee was the team I’ve been wanting to play with since I was younger," he said. "Me being from Tennessee, I pretty much love the team.

"They’ve got to go to the top of my list somewhere. I’d love to play for them."

UT’s offer to Walls came from an unexpected presenter: Phillip Fulmer. The UT coach extended the offer in a hand-written letter.

"It meant a whole lot coming from Phil," Walls said. "Basically all the letters I was getting from them was from the recruiting coordinator. For (Fulmer) to write me a personal letter, that let me know that they were very interested."

Walls has had a mutual interest in the Vols, even before he received the offer. He said growing up a UT fan will factor into his decision.

"I watched all their games last year and ever since I was young," he said. "They’ve always got a place in my heart just because I love them so much."

Ole Miss has also found a place since the Rebels began recruiting Walls in the past year. He attended three Ole Miss games in 2006.

The first thing Walls noticed is the energy of head coach Ed Orgeron.

"I know he takes his job very seriously," Walls said. "He loves the game of football. I can tell that right now. I like that about him."

Walls was also intrigued by the play of Rebels linebacker Patrick Willis

"He’s a playmaker," Walls said of last year’s Butkus Award winner. "When somebody makes a play, the whole team gets involved."

The Ole Miss staff is looking for someone to replace Willis, a Bruceton native who’s projected to be a first-round pick in this month’s NFL draft.

Walls said the Rebels coaches told him he could be the guy to do it.

"They told me I’d be the next Patrick Willis," Walls said. "That got me kind of fired up seeing as how much I look up to him."

Ole Miss has another advantage in its recruitment of Walls — his former teammate, Rod Davis. The wide receiver signed with the Rebels in February.

"We always used to joke around saying we were going to play for the same team and how much better the team would be if we got together," Walls said. "Keep that chemistry going between us."

Walls, who also has an offer from Minnesota and has received strong interest from Alabama, has visited Ole Miss and Auburn this spring.

He said he plans to visit UT, Florida and Alabama before the end of the summer.