Memphis area busy with football recruiting

By By JASON SMITH The Commercial Appeal

Originally published 10:21 a.m., July 2, 2008
Updated 10:21 a.m., July 2, 2008

It's been a busy time for football recruiting in the Memphis area.

When it comes to their recent college commitments, both Olive Branch High School lineman Aubrey Phillips and Briarcrest Christian quarterback Chris Campbell elected to go with the schools that recruited them first.

Phillips, a 6-foot-6, 320-pound offensive tackle who played at Washington the last three seasons, pledged his services to Tennessee during a prospect camp last month in Knoxville.

Phillips said the Vols were the first to contact him near the end of his sophomore season and the first team to offer him a scholarship.

He said he also had offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Duke, Florida State, North Carolina, Penn State, Southern Miss and Memphis.

"I just like the atmosphere and the coaches," Phillips said of Tennessee. "Everyone's friendly, and I have a couple friends up there already in (former Christian Brothers linebacker) Chris Walker and (former Olive Branch linebacker) Marlon Walls.

"I plan on graduating (from Olive Branch) in December. They told me if I graduate in December, I can get up (to Knoxville) for spring practice, and then play as a freshman."

Campbell, a 6-3, 180-pound quarterback who passed for 1,111 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior last season, committed this month to Southern Miss over Arkansas State, Marshall and Middle Tennessee.

"They were my very first offer and they've been on me for a very long time," Campbell said of the Golden Eagles. "I've really liked Southern Miss from the first time I talked to them and the first time I went down there, visiting for the spring game. It just felt great down there. I loved everything about it."

Campbell's Briarcrest teammate, senior offensive tackle Austin Long (6-5, 268), committed to Georgia in April.

Long, who also had offers from the likes of Alabama, Florida, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Ole Miss and Tennessee, is ranked the No. 9 offensive tackle prospect nationally by Rivals.com.

The state's top prospect, Harding Academy wide receiver Marlon Brown (6-5, 205), visited UCLA last Tuesday.

Brown, the No. 2 wide receiver prospect in the nation according to Rivals.com, participated last Wednesday and Thursday in a prospect camp at USC and is expected to narrow his college list later this week.

Other Memphis area prospects drawing major college attention include Whitehaven defensive back Gene Robinson, Whitehaven linebacker Derrick Webb, Kingsbury running back Gabriel Hunter and Melrose linebacker Greg King.

Robinson (5-10, 165), whom Rivals.com ranks the No. 42 cornerback prospect nationally, has offers from Alabama, Colorado, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Ole Miss, North Carolina, Southern Miss and Vanderbilt.

Webb (6-0, 214), the No. 53 outside linebacker prospect in the nation according to Rivals.com, is considering offers from Middle Tennessee, Ole Miss and Southern Miss.

Hunter (5-11, 180), who last season broke former Hillcrest standout Corey Walker's Shelby-Metro record for rushing yards in a season with 2,679 rushing yards in 12 games, has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, Memphis, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

King (6-3, 200) is entertaining offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisville, Marshall, Memphis, Miami (Fla.), North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas Tech following a junior season in which he registered 70 tackles and 10 sacks.