Attention picking up for Homesteads Phillips

Homestead High School outside Milwaukee (Wisc.) is one of the top football programs in the state. Their junior class is led by defensive end Donte Phillips. The 6-foot-3, 250 pound prospect has recently visited Michigan and Wisconsin.

"Two weeks ago I went to Ann Arbor for the Purdue game," Phillips said. "It was just crazy. The fans were just so great. There was blue and gold all over. They all seemed to be really proud to be Michigan fans. It was my first time up there. It was cool to see Coach [Rich] Rodriguez, Coach [Greg] Robinson, and Coach [Bruce]Tall, their defensive line coach, actually coaching on the sidelines."

Phillips said he talked with Tall during the weekend.

"He just talked about what he expects from his players," Phillips said. "They like my size. They will look at my film in the next couple of weeks and tell me how things will go from there."

Last weekend, Phillips checked out the Badgers 45-24 home victory over the Wolverines.

"The Wisconsin coaches are great. I met Coach [Bob] Bobstad. Coach [Charlie] Partridge is a great guy too. They really took it to Michigan. That was impressive to see."

Phillips is planning a return trip to Ann Arbor this weekend.

"I am going up for the Ohio State game this weekend, that should be fun," Phillips said. "I also plan on going to visit Minnesota and North Dakota sometime in the winter."

Phillips was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, just outside Ann Arbor. He said he moved to the Milwaukee area when he was three.

"I grew up a Michigan fan, but now I am a Wisconsin fan too," Phillips said. "So I am kind of split in the middle."

Phillips said he is hearing from several other schools.

"Pretty everyone in the Big Ten, including Ohio State and Iowa," Phillips said. "The Big East too. Syracuse and Louisville have been talking to me a lot. Maryland, Duke, Virginia, Iowa State, and Kansas State are in contact, Stanford, Indiana, and Iowa are also showing more interest than regular mail. Washington State invited me to a game this week, but I can't go."