Aubrey Phillips recognized one of Tennessee’s new faces at his home on Monday.
That’s when the 6-foot-6, 310-pound offensive lineman from Olive Branch (Miss.) High School received a visit from UT defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron.
Phillips said he first met Orgeron at an Ole Miss summer camp when Orgeron was still the Rebels’ head coach.
Phillips said he was happy to see Orgeron again.
“It was cool because I haven’t seen him in a while,” Phillips said. “It was real exciting. He was telling me how they still want me.”
And Phillips still wants to play for the Vols.
Phillips said he reaffirmed his commitment to Kiffin and Orgeron during their visit.
“I told them I’m ready for Signing Day so I can sign with them,” Phillips said.
Before National Signing Day on Feb. 4, Phillips plans to take official visits to Arkansas this weekend, UT on Jan. 16, Mississippi State on Jan. 23 and Florida State on Jan. 30.
Phillips said he’s taking the visits because he doesn’t want to waste free trips allowed by the NCAA. Prospects are permitted to take five official visits by the NCAA.
He said he already told new UT coach Lane Kiffin about the visits.
“He wanted me to take my visits,” Phillips said. “I felt good that he wanted me to take my visits.”
Phillips felt better when he received a visit from Lane Kiffin during Kiffin’s first week on the job last month.
Phillips said he could tell he was a high priority on Kiffin’s recruiting list.
“He said I’m one of the main people he’s going after and I felt honored by that,” Phillips said. “I felt honored that he wants me to be a part of the championship team he’s building.”
Phillips said he could tell during his visit with Orgeron and Monte Kiffin that UT has the pieces in place to build a championship caliber program.
“They were ready for practice to start,” Phillips said. “They’re ready to go to work and win.”
Where In The World? Lane Kiffin met with offensive line commitment JerQuari Schofield from South Aiken (S.C.) High.
Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and Orgeron were in Memphis on Monday to visit linebacker Greg King from Melrose High as part of a whirlwind tour that will cover many prospects, especially defensive ones, in the region.
UT coaches have not visited with receiver Marlon Brown from Harding Academy but likely will be in attendance to see Brown play basketball on Friday night.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee Lady Vols 60, South…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 83
GerryOP writes:
“He wanted me to take my visits,” Phillips said. “I felt good that he wanted me to take my visits.”
Hmmmm. Under that guy who now works for ESPN, the concept was that once you verballed UT, no more field trips. Which coach seems more confident in his sales pitch?
floridavolsfan writes:
Wanna buy some land in the everglades---just a buck an acre!!!
just_a_vol writes:
Can't really blame the kid for going on his visits. These schools treat all these kids like kings and what else is there to do in Olive Branch besides go to the casino in the soybean field. I am frm the Tupelo area and have heard that this kid is a really good one. Go Vols!
volsintampa writes:
havent heard much about this guy, what does everyone know about him? and how do we stand on the marlon brown sweepstakes?
OakyVol09 writes:
If what he says is true, I cannot blame the kid. Although I wonder what the coaches of those schools he is visiting think about it. I am sure many kids do it, just never see one so verbal about it.
If I were going just for the free trip though, I would have to through Hawaii in there.
VolFanNC writes:
hmmm...interesting....anyone notice our lineup for weekend before signing day?
http://tennessee.scout.com/a.z?s=7&am...
yeavols#228407 writes:
I see your point..but it has to be exciting for a recruit to visit other campuses and especially when the NCAA allows it. I am sure he will come to Tennessee. If Lane Kiffin can be WOW'd by UT facilities and he was at USC, I am sure the other schools won't be able to compete. Of course, I could be wrong.
just_a_vol writes:
He is from a good high school program and has been on everyone's radar for awhile. Mississippi is a small state but typically produces very good talent. He is the real deal from all that I have heard.He was first team everything as well as an Army All American game participant. His school played teams like South Panola who is like Maryville from this area as well as Tupelo and Clinton (near Jackson) as well as Memphis University School. My point being that he has played against good competition.
allvol9 writes:
Aubrey...you are just what UT needs. A talented young man that wants to wear the Orange. Glad you are on board...just don't let the other late visits fool you. There is no place like Rocky Top!
JBruce writes:
I can't blame him for wanting to take his free visits.
Most of these kids have never left home. If I were him, I would take the opportunity to see the country!
He may never get an opportunity like this again.
DAWGSSUCK writes:
“I felt honored that he wants me to be a part of the championship team he’s building.”
Looooooove the sound of that!
txvolsfan writes:
I would love to see us pull Trent Richardson from Bammer.
I live in Gulf Breeze, Fl. and this kid is a stud. He is killing all of Emmitts records at Escambia!!!
DAWGSSUCK writes:
Thanks for that link. Looks like a pretty good lineup. Hope it's a benefit to be the last school they see before signing day.
tngivem6 writes:
Saving the best for last..glad to see so many WRS on the last visit list..kiffin and crew should pull out all the stops..stinks we lost Trooper to Auburn.could have used he to coach WR
pdhuff#552644 writes:
GO, where the h#ll you been?
I see you have been watching FORMER (now ex) HTCPF in his new gig.
Happy New Year. Any resolutions?
Stay the course.
gohawks1 writes:
He's a 3-star OL with offers from TN, Miss. St., Florida State, Oklahoma St, Penn St., and Georgia St, to name a few.
volzcrushm writes:
I understand your insecurity on this issue because some recruits have ventured.... and never returned. BUT, Phillip's words were 'he liked the championship caliber' group they are putting together at UT and he liked it. For all of the pessimists out there, coach O and Ole Kif are going to make a LARGE haul out of the memphis area this go around. 'I TOLD YOU SO' was heard here first!!
madvillevol writes:
Anyone else see we're getting a visit from Willie Ferrell and Janzen Jackson this weekend?? You guys know of anybody else coming this weekend?
VolInIndy writes:
In recent years, PF had to let up on his no visits rule to get anyone to "commit" to us.
Kids these days don't know what a commitment means.
MarbleVol48 writes:
Aheck of alot better than pretty boy Notre Dame Wannabee.
cobbwebb writes:
pull out all the stops, thats what im screamin'! maybe all us GVX posters can get together and throw a good ol' fashion texas recruiting party! you know with strippers, money, all the drugs you could want, strippers, booze, did i mention strippers! im just kidding, thats pretty sick to throw stuff like that at 18 yr old kids!
yeavols#228407 writes:
Ya that's pretty cool. I haven't seen the new upgrades nor I have I been to a game in a few years since moving away. Wished I could get to stand in the middle of the field. That would be pretty impressive at anyone's standpoint.
VolPatrick writes:
I used to know a girl at UTK who was an official hostess for incoming football recruits(and maybe other sports but I'm not sure). If you have any idea what an official visit looks like or what these young men experience, you can not begrudge them using every opportunity. It must be a special time to get shown around a college town by attractive female hostesses, get to hang with potential team mates, see the "sights" and have a good fun weekend.
Now, as for the lack of commitment, I don't penalize teenagers for being a bit wishy-washy or for having trouble making what for some is the most important decision of their lives. I had a hard time deciding on a college to attend without the added dimension of being a student-athlete. This is a business decision and I'm all for them taking as much time as possible and not being castigated for changing their mind if they feel so obliged.
givehim6 writes:
I like it because CLK seems to be working on both lines.
madvillevol writes:
Hope your right about Jackson. I'd say all of Ferrell's friends give him a pretty hard time about his name. He looks pretty good on film though. I'd say they won't be saying much next year when he's playing D1 football and there sitting at home watching him on the tv.
philfan writes:
Rabid,
I appreciate your enthusiasm but you are mistaken. Orgeron is a walking time bomb ready to go off and embarrass UT. In 1991 a permanent injunction of protection was granted to a woman by a judge who found him guilty of a crime. The sentence landed him in a 26 week domestic violence counseling program. In 1992 he was found guilty of second degree battery following a bar fight in Baton Rouge and placed on probation by the Miami athletic program. As head coach at Ole Miss, he had a 7-16 record, and finished 0-8 in the SEC. There is nothing in my mind more disgusting than a woman beater. The hiring of Orgeron is bad news anyway you look at it.
murrayvol writes:
You only get recruited once. Were I in his shoes, I'd take all my visits. But they sure as hell wouldn't be to Starkville, Fayetteville, and Tallahassee
NoogaVol55 writes:
Not trying to take up for anybody that hits a female...but that was 18 years ago...people can grow up and redeem themselves. I am sure he felt like he through his life away once...I doubt that he would do that again. I am sure his past was discussed prior to his hire and he is aware of a Zero Tolerance policy concerning his behavior.
Hell, if Marv Albert can redeem himself and be forgiven...I am sure we can do the same for EO.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Just an observation, but looking at PHILFAN's screen name, I can resonably conclude that there is nothing we can say or do that would help him/her feel better about Tennessee's every move.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Ok..Let's play Recruiting CLUE....N1UP is on the way to Pensacola..It's 9:45 pm, Lane Kiffin did it on a Beechcraft, with a Pen, who is he signing?
mattlock writes:
Who are any of us to judge? By the way, Phillip has had several of his own "incidents" that I notice you don't seem to bring up.
The last few years our program has been disgusting. . .
TNfaninMS writes:
I checked that visitors site earlier today and that Trent Richardson kid was not on there. I wonder where that came from? He is from Pensacola FL and that is where the recruiting plane is headed right now. That would be a hell of pick up right there people. I now it is just speculation but where did this kid come from? I mean he was not even on our radar earlier this week. Here we go!
just_a_vol writes:
You are from columbus TNfaninMS?
yeavols#228407 writes:
Scout has him listed as a soft verbal for Alabama. Also, in Mobile, which is close by there is a QB there uncommitted to anyone right now but may be leaning towards Alabama. A.J. McCarron?
TNfaninMS writes:
Yeah I am, I read you are in Tupelo. Great to see another MS Tennessee Fan on here.
volroadwarrior writes:
Fifteen year old news. Give it up!!!!
yeavols#228407 writes:
Ok moving on..let' let dead dogs lie. that incident was 20 years ago. (PhilFan) ...CAN"T you see we are in the middle of a RECRUITING TRACKING HERE! (hehe)..The plane landed in Pensacola...WE might be recruiting a 5 star prospect there..
just_a_vol writes:
Grew up in Baldwyn but I am living near Athens, Tn now. I married well lol. Been to Starkvegas many times with free tickets to MSU games. Hold the fort down. I know you get it from all those bammers being so near the line there.
OMike writes:
http://rivals.yahoo.com/video/recruit...
carolinahurricanevol writes:
all you interlopers on this site get a clue and get a life. you wouldn't be on here if you weren't a little nervous about what is eventually going to happen. you know darn well that the orange swarm has returned and things have changed. you know its just a matter of time that TN football will be setting the example for SEC football. there is no one, i mean NO ONE, anywhere, that can compete with our stadium, coaching staff, fan base, oppurtunity, and facilities. we've lacked the competitive edge for the last decade but thats all about to change and IS changing. it will take a few years and once these kids see the direction TN football is heading, we will not have to recruit, but simply choose and pick. you know its happening, or you wouldn't be wasting your pathetic little time here going on on about this and that. if you've had a run, congrats! it may not happen again in your lifetime! we know it, you know it, everyone outside of the vol nation knows!........GET USED TO IT!........ITS GONNA BE THIS WAY FOR A LONG TIME!!........CAN I GET AN AMEN!.....GO VOLS!
yeavols#228407 writes:
AMEN!!
TNfaninMS writes:
Who are you tellin, I work at the hospital in Columbus and I think every damn person i work with is a bammer, just good to see i have some amunition for when i go back on Thursday.
yeavols#228407 writes:
I would personally put in AD in the Birmingham Plain Talk Newspaper if we could score that kid from Pensacola
just_a_vol writes:
I hear ya. I have 2 brothers that are diehard bammers and I can't even get more than a 5 minute conversation from them after that beat down they took. I lived in Hamilton for 2 years and had to put up with it there. Nothing worse than an obnoxious bammer.
just_a_vol writes:
I'll pitch in yeavols. I suspect we will pop up on several radars we have been absent from with the recruiters CLK is adding to the staff. These kids notice those names.
TNfaninMS writes:
Just a vol- you dont know a guy named Mike Colbert do ya? He is from Hamilton and a good friend of mine and a co-worker. Just wondering. Good to get to know new people
utchris writes:
I got to watch Aubrey Phillips play once this year in their game versus MUS. He was on a talent loaded team that is all respect kind of underachieved on the year.
He was definitely a force from both the OL and DL. Probably a little more from the OL, where MUS was undersized but very disciplined and quite good. He collapsed his side of the line on most plays and took out a DL and LB on several occasions.
Good HS lineman. Not sure that he is one that can make an immediate impact. My bet would be that he gets a RS so that they can get him in the weight room and work on his technique for a year before he faces the SEC.
TNfaninMS writes:
I will put the sign up my self in Tuscaloosa, of all places, i hate bammer about as much as i can take. Im all for takings satans recruits from him as much as possible.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Ok Scout has the 5 star running back coming to UT for a visit in January and is now a soft verbal for Bama. Ok they have to be in Pensacola to see this guy..
TNfaninMS writes:
oops kinda sounded like i was from alabama there, i meant "taking"
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