Phillips visits Florida State, says he's '90 percent' sure about UT

Aubrey Phillips is still committed to Tennessee, but he isn’t finished with the recruiting process.

The 6-foot-6, 310-pound offensive lineman from Olive Branch (Miss.) High School said he’s “90 percent” sure of his commitment to the Vols after visiting Florida State this weekend.

“I liked the stadium and I was impressed by the coaches,” Phillips said of his trip to Florida State. “They all seemed cool. I liked the players.”

Phillips, who visited UT last weekend and Arkansas the week before, said he plans to visit Auburn next weekend.

He added the Tigers to his list after dropping Mississippi State.

“I just had no interest in them anymore,” Phillips said of the Bulldogs. “I just don’t see myself playing in Starkville.”

Phillips has become more interested in Auburn because of new wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor, who coached at UT from 2004-07.

Phillips has been recruited by Taylor since he left Oklahoma State for Auburn earlier this month.

“He’s cool,” Phillips said. “I knew him when he was at Tennessee. He treats you like family.”

Phillips said he would be surprised if any school is able to sway his commitment from UT.

UT coach Lane Kiffin was confident that wouldn’t happen last weekend when he encouraged Phillips to take his remaining official visits.

“He said to have fun and he’s not worried about anything.” Phillips told the News Sentinel after visiting UT. “He said have fun with it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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