and Memphis. Yet, not many college fans have ever heard of the inner-city Memphis
(TN) product.
Why?
"I really have no clue," added the
very personable Aubrey Phillips. "I have
started every snap at OT/DT since my 9th grade year here at Booker T Washington.
I can't really answer that question, but I know the colleges know about me."
What
makes this mammoth lineman so good?
"I can pass block well for someone
my size. On defense, I can fill up the whole middle of the line of scrimmage.
I get triple teamed every play which allows our linebackers to run free."
What
would Aubrey like to work on to take his game to the next level?
"In
the offseason, I am working on my conditioning so I can go hard every play. Once
I get my conditioning down, I will be a better overall player."
Booker
T Washington had a disappointing season last year as they were put out in the
1st round of the playoffs but Aubrey's sophomore year was special.
"We
had our best record in school history. We went 9-2. Our school really does not
have much football tradition though."
Phillips had a chance to
take in Ole Miss' Jr Day on Saturday.
"It was nice. I like the weight
room and stadium. It was a nice field. I like coach Nutt. He is a good guy. I
like how he can be hard one minute, but then the next he gives you tough love.
He knows how to turn on and off his switch."
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| Aubrey Phillips |
Academics
are very important to Aubrey as he carries a 3.85 GPA and this was one area he
really focused on during his visit to the University of Mississippi.
"My
stepfather came down there with me to Ole Miss. He wanted to get educated on how
they carry out their academics with the players. Both of us were really impressed.
They make sure you go to class and leave with your degree. You are going to graduate
from Ole Miss even if you do not make it to the next level. My family does not
care about sports. They care about me getting my degree. That is probably what
stood out to us the most about Ole Miss during our trip."
Playing
in the SEC is also a plus.
"My step dad thinks Ole Miss is a good
school. They play in a tough conference, the best in the country, so you are going
to have to work hard to play in the SEC. He wants what ever is best for me."
The
overall visit went a little bit better than what Aubrey was expecting.
"At
first, I did not think they were going to show me much interest because I went
to their camp last summer and they never said one word to me. But the new staff
showed me a lot of interest this time around. Coach Markuson (OL coach) told me
a few times that he wants to get to know me. He showed a lot of interest in me
and wanted me to know that he was going to be recruiting me real hard. He knows
I am transferring to Olive Branch (High School in MS) in May, so we talked about
that for a while. He told me that he already knew Tennessee, Memphis, Penn State,
Georgia Tech, and Duke had offered me. He asked me if I was upset that they had
not offered me, and I said not really. He said good because they want to get a
good look at me at their football camp before they do. I told him I would be down
there to show him what I got."
Aubrey stated that he did not have
any favorites and was "wide open", but he did let us in on the schools
he has visited so far and where he plans to go next.
"I went over
to Memphis for their Jr Day last week, and I went to Tennessee's and Ole Miss'
football camps. I am probably going to go to Alabama soon to look around there
and I plan on going to Oklahoma State for a camp of theirs this summer."
How
did Memphis' Jr Day go?
"Really well. I already knew Coach Ingram
when he was at Melrose. We talked a lot. He came by the school to talk to me.
Coach West also came by and we talked for a while. We went to the Fed Ex forum
and watched a basketball game of theirs with the rest of the recruits at Jr Day.
It was fun."
What stands out about Tennessee?
"I like
their staff because all of them are very friendly. I have gotten to know Coach
Fulmer really well. We talk on the phone all of the time. They were the first
school to offer me."
How did Duke, Penn State, and Georgia Tech come
into the picture?
"Well, at Duke, Coach (Matt) Luke use to be the
OL coach at Tennessee. He left over to Duke, and they offered me when he got there.
He came down and visited me during the offseason too. Georgia Tech and Penn State
talk to my step dad on his cell. They told him that I had an offer and then they
sent it in the mail to me. But he basically handles all of my calls. He knows
more about all of this than I do."
Stay here at Scout.com for
the latest development with Aubrey Phillips.