OL Phillips appears to be out of UT's picture

Tennessee commitment Aubrey Phillips seems destined to play his college football elsewhere based on some comments the 6-foot-6, 310-pound offensive lineman made following his official visit to Auburn this weekend.

“I'm still committed to Tennessee, but on Signing Day there will be a change," Phillips told Auburnsports.com. “My Auburn visit went good. I got a chance to hang out with the players and meet the coaches and really liked it.

"I like it down there. I like the stadium. I like the coaches. All of them are cool. You can go to them with your problems and none of the players had one bad thing to say about them."

Phillips committed to UT in June but became a prime target for Auburn when it hired away former UT coach Trooper Taylor from Oklahoma State in January.

Taylor recruited Phillips, who is from Olive Branch (Miss.) High School, to play for Oklahoma State before accepting a position on Auburn’s staff.

When Phillips’ teammate, safety Daren Bates, committed to Auburn last week, UT had reason to be concerned. Phillips told the News Sentinel that Bates’ decision would have a major effect on his decision.

“I'm trying to get him to come with me here so we can be roommates and be on the field together,” Bates told Auburnsports.com.

Phillips is also reportedly considering Arkansas. UT and Auburn are thought to be in the lead for his services but after this weekend, it appears as if UT has slipped to second place.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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