2014 LB has first offer

Pearland (Texas) has been one of the top teams in the Houston area over the past decade or so and the Oilers actually won a Class 5A state championship in 2010. Last year the team made a run to the fourth round of the playoffs, the regional finals, and there is quite a bit of talent returning this season.

Linebacker Justin Phillips was only a sophomore this past season but the 6-foot, 210-pound prospect was a big contributor on defense. Despite being an underclassman he has become a leader on the team and recently picked up an offer from a Big 12 program.

"I received my first offer from Oklahoma State," Phillips said. "On Tuesday I talked to coach Glenn Spencer and he told me they were offering me."

Phillips was familiar with Spencer so the offer did not come completely out of the blue.

"[Spencer] came by the school during the year and he was really interested in me," he said. "Then I went to their camp a few weeks ago. He said he saw my film and he liked that and then he liked me when he got to see me in person at the camp."

Phillips has had the opportunity to take in camps of three in-state programs this summer as well. One of them could even be close to becoming his second offer.

"I've been to camps for Baylor, SMU and (Texas) A&M too," he said. "I talked to Baylor a lot but they didn't offer me or anything. I didn't really have a chance to talk to the coaches at the other two places.

I think Baylor might be close to offering me."

Though it is still very early in the process for the junior-to-be, he does admit that a pair of schools has caught his attention.

"I like Oklahoma State and then SMU somewhat," Phillips said. "I have family at SMU and I really like the Oklahoma State football team."