LSU Flips 5-Star Oklahoma LB Commit Jacob Phillips
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The recruiting waters are getting more cutthroat as National Signing Day nears with once solid commitments finding a better fit with other programs. One of the latest, and biggest, to swap schools is Tennessee linebacker Jacob Phillips.
Phillips has been a standout linebacker for East Nashville Magnet over the past two seasons racking up 122 stops in 2015 and a 123 tackles in 2016 with seven tackles for a loss, three interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 10 games played.
With over 20 scholarship offers on the table, the Sooners picked up the four-star’s verbal commitment on Oct. 12 after official visits to Notre Dame (Sept. 17), Alabama (Oct. 1), and Texas A&M (Oct. 7). The Sooners’ staff stayed on Phillips but an unofficial visit to Baton Rouge on Jan. 20 led to a change of heart on Jan. 26.
Phillips shared his decision on Twitter writing, “Happy and blessed to announce I will be spending the next 4 years at LSU.” The announcement was coupled with a statement:
Recruiting services are mixed on Phillips, but regardless he is highly thought of. 247Sports has him as the No. 4 player in the state of Tennessee and one of the top inside linebackers in the nation ranked No. 62 regardless of position as a four-star recruit. Rivals has rated Phillips as a five-star player ranked No. 29 in the nation overall, No. 2 at linebacker, and No. 3 in Tennessee.
247Sports rates LSU’s 2017 class No. 6 in the nation, No. 3 in the SEC. Rivals has LSU’s class rated No. 7 with three five-star players, nine four-star recruits, and nine three-star talents.
LSU 2017 Verbal Commitment List (21)
SS Grant Delpit, 6-3.5, 181, IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL*
SS JaCoby Stevens, 6-2, 200, Oakland HS, Murfreesboro, TN*
CB Kary Vincent, 5-11, 170, Memorial HS, Port Arthur, TX
LB Jacob Phillips, 6-3.5, 228, East Nashville Magnet, Nashville, TN
DE Aaron Moffitt, 6-4, 255, Catholic HS, Baton Rouge, LA
DE Justin Thomas, 6-5, 255, Spanish Fort HS, Spanish Fort, AL*
DT Neil Farrell, 6-4, 295, Murphy HS, Mobile AL
DT Tyler Shelvin, 6-3, 300, Northside HS, Lafayette, LA
OG Saahdiq Charles, 6-5, 314, Madison-Ridgeland HS, Madison, MS
OG Edward Ingram, 6-4, 325, DeSoto HS, DeSoto, TX
OT Austin Deculus, 6-6, 323, Cy-Fair HS, Cypress, TX*
OT Seth Steward, 6-8, 320, Point Pleasant HS, Point Pleasant, WV
FB Tory Carter, 6-2, 255, Lee County HS, Leesburg, GA
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, 5-8, 196, Catholic HS, Baton Rouge, LA
RB/LB Patrick Queen, 6-1, 205 Livonia HS, Livonia, LA
QB Myles Brennan, 6-3, 180, St. Stanislaus HS, Bay Saint Louis, MS
QB Lowell Narcisse, 6-2.5, 224, St. James HS, St. James, LA*
WR Stephen Guidry, 6-4, 190, Hinds C.C., Raymond, MS
WR Racey McMath, 6-3, 215, Edna Karr, New Orleans, LA
WR Mannie Netherly, 6-2, 183, Crosby HS, Crosby, TX*
ATH Jontre Kirklin, 5-11.5, 166, Lutcher HS, Lutcher, LA
*Enrolled
Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 1 Jacob Phillips at LSU.