Circle's Jordan Phillips picks Oklahoma
The football scholarship offers kept coming in for Circle's Jordan Phillips, a 6-foot-6, 300-pound lineman. Offers from Oklahoma, Auburn, Colorado State, Kansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State and UCLA.
The pressure was mounting, so Phillips chose to make an early decision. He made an oral commitment to Oklahoma.
"It's good to have it done," said Phillips, a senior who's rated by Rivals.com as the No. 2 prospect in Kansas. "It took a lot of weight off my shoulders to make this decision."
Circle coach Lee LaMunyon immediately noticed a change in Phillips.
"It's been bothering him for quite a while," LaMunyon said. "He didn't want to disappoint anybody. He's afraid to disappoint anyone."
Phillips' relationship with OU defensive line coach Jackie Shipp was key, too.
"I think (Phillips) felt good about Kansas State, but there was a connection (with Oklahoma)," LaMunyon said.
While Phillips will focus on playing on the offensive and defensive lines this season, he is listed as an athlete by Oklahoma. Considering his size, that might be a surprise. It's not. Phillips is mobile and also plays basketball.
"He can move," LaMunyon said."... For as big a kid as he is, he has amazing feet. You don't find that quality often. There aren't that many out there like him in the nation."
Phillips has played a variety of positions at Circle, including fullback, tight end, interior defensive and offensive lines, defensive end, linebacker, kicker and punter. Yes, Phillips can kick off, and he has a 60-yard punt in a game.