The Top247 junior defensive end from Hillsboro High School in Nashville, Tenn., said Tennessee is one of a few teams he likes a lot, and his laid-back visit with the Vols on Friday while he was in Knoxville for a 7-on-7 tournament Saturday did nothing to change that.
It was nice. We went over there, and I watched a little film with the D-line, and then we watched the (basketball) game (with the team), pretty much, Phillips said, referring to the Vols NCAA tournament game Friday night against Michigan.
I like (Tennessee) a lot. Its them and a few other schools I like a lot. Im going to try to get down to Bama again, Ole Miss, Florida State I havent been down there yet. Theres multiple schools I want to visit or go back to.
It was me, (Tennessee commitment) Jack Jones and (four-star cornerback) Cameron Ordway. We talked to him for, I dont know, 15 or 20 minutes, maybe. We were just talking about how they need me, really.
Phillips said he also got a chance to watch film with defensive line coach Steve Stripling and the Vols defensive linemen, and he stayed on campus overnight with Jack Jones, Tennessee linebacker signee Dillon Bates and Top247 linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. of Indianapolis.
The way they work in the film room, its just so much better (than high school), really just film in college. Its way different, Phillips said. I got to learn a little of, I guess, what they do on the D-line kind of, like, the techniques and stuff they use."
Phillips, who also visited Vanderbilt on Thursday, said he probably will return to Tennessee by this summer.
I just like the atmosphere of everybody (there), Phillips said. Thats probably the thing I like most about them. Its like a big family, I guess.
Phillips admitted the Vols are one of three teams that have been talking with him most frequently, along with Ole Miss and Alabama. But hes still taking his time with the recruiting process, and he said he doesnt plan to decide on a college until hopefully this fall."
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