4-Star LB Jacob Phillips Updates Recruitment after Alabama Official

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Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The hype and recruiting intensity centered upon Jacob Phillips is starting to reach a fever pitch. The Class of 2017 inside linebacker has narrowed his list of 23 reported offers down to a Top 5 with one official visit left to go before his Oct. 12 set commitment date, and the recruiting trail is buzzing.

College recruiters had been aware of Phillips for a couple of years but the 6-3, 225 pound, defensive standout solidified his spot as one of the top players in his class during his junior season. At the end of 11 games with East Nashville Magnet, Phillips had tallied 122 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and one interception. The four-star recruit is having another highlight reel filled season coming up with 61 tackles, six tackles for a loss, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery through five games played.

Some of the teams hoping to add Phillips to their 2017 roster includes Auburn, LSU, Cal, Louisville, Miami, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Memphis, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Tennessee. The lucky five remaining in the hunt are: Oregon, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Alabama, and Texas A&M. The list is in order of official visit taken with Alabama hosting Phillips over the weekend and the Aggies set to bring in the Tennessee talent on Friday in time to see the in-state Volunteers squad play.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with Phillips covering his skill set on the field and his recruiting process headed towards his verbal commitment.

Interview

Jacob, how has the season gone for you so far this year? Are you happy with your play on the field?

“Yes, sir. I feel like I am doing well. I am averaging almost 11 tackles a game. I missed one game, but I still have the most tackles in the region. I feel like I am doing what I can for my team. I’m playing Mike Linebacker, a team captain, and making all the defensive checks for our team. I feel like the defense is doing well, we got a shutout last week (won 38-0 vs. Whites Creek).”

Why did you miss a game?

“I had a flagrant foul on a hit during a game.”

Enough said. What are the biggest improvements you’ve made with your game this year over last season?

“The biggest improvement has been becoming an overall better player. My pass coverage, speed, lateral movement, and ability to come downhill have all improved. I am reading my keys better and making the right checks.”

What are you still working to improve upon?

“If you want to be the best you have to work to improve on everything. I can’t be satisfied with what I am doing. I always strive to find the things I am not doing well and get better in those areas. I’m always working on my overall improvement.”

What is your weekly preparation like for a game?

“I get with my coaches and figure out the plays that we are running and the formation adjustments we are making. For inside runs, I try to get my eyes right seeing the plays. I meet with my coach to make sure I know what defense we should be in off the offense’s formation. I make sure I know what we need to check into and make sure everyone is set for each play. The other thing is staying in shape. I’ll be playing offense for rest of the season. I will have more on my plate concerning that.”

What position will you be playing on offense going forward?

“In our last game I played some wide out and some fullback. It depends on the different packages we run. Whatever they need me to do to help win games.”

Are you going to get a lot of touches within the offense or, for example, will you be that snarling wild man fullback looking to put other linebackers on their backside?

(Laughs) “At receiver, I will have some passes thrown to me. At fullback, we don’t use the fullback in the run game that much. I might receive some passes at fullback.”

Who is the toughest guy you have gone up against so far at the varsity level or another player that may have brought out the best in you?

“Hmmm, let me think. Probably my sophomore year (with Beech High School), we played against Shelbyville Central in the playoffs (loss 42-41 in OT). Their running back (Michael Eddings) was really good. That was a fun game. It seemed like the older guys were relying on me. Going against him, it brought out a good side in me. I had 12 tackles in that game. That was the most tackles I had in a game that year.”

Let’s switch over to recruiting. How many offers do you have right now?

“Twenty-three.”

I have your official visits as the following: Oregon (Sept. 3), Oklahoma (Oct. 10), Notre Dame (Sept. 17, Alabama (Oct. 1), and Texas A&M (Oct. 7), is that correct?

“Yes.”

Seems obvious but one never knows, is the list of schools that have received your five official visits your Top 5 schools?

“Yes, sir. LSU was originally in there but I canceled my visit there going to Texas A&M instead.”

Have you set a commitment date yet?

“Yes, sir. Oct. 12.”

Is there a significance to the Oct. 12 date?

“No, sir. I really wanted to get my officials complete and commit early. I talked to our principal and coaches about when to do it.”

Where are you announcing?

“I’m announcing at our school.”

You just came off an official at Alabama for the Kentucky game. How did that visit go for you?

“It went real well. That was the fourth time I’ve been there. My family came with me a second time on this trip. Official visits are different. You get to be around the coaches and the team more, you get to hang out with the players. I enjoyed myself and so did my parents.”

With the Texas A&M visit, what are you hoping to learn during your time in College Station?

“Coach (John) Chavis (defensive coordinator) and I have talked for a long time. He’s been here a couple of times, it is my time to return the favor. I’m going to a special game. Both teams are undefeated. The game should be a hard fought battle. I know players on both teams. It’ll be fun to watch. I heard Texas A&M’s stadium is huge and the fans really get into the game. I am looking forward to that. I’m looking forward to talking to the coaches.”

What are some of the key factors you look for when narrowing down schools?

“Mostly the environment, if I feel comfortable with the coaches and players there. The campus and people in that city, what is my comfort level in that area?”

Last question. How would you like your senior season to end from this point going forward?

“I really want the team to win. This is my second year at this school. Last year we did not do too well. We are at a tipping point at doing well, getting over .500 and win out or buckle under and barely make the playoffs, or not at all. I’d like to do it for my coaches and teammates. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to keep playing beyond high school. I want to do to ensure that my teammates can keep playing as long as they can into the playoffs.”

Jacob, thanks for your time today. Good luck with the rest of your senior year and with your trip to College Station.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit usatodayhss.com; No. 1 Jacob Phillips tracking down a ball carrier.

Photo credit: Phillips family; Jacob Phillips at Alabama.

Photo credit: usatodayhss.com; No. 1 Jacob Phillips.