East Tennessee QB getting looks

Kingsport (Tenn.) Sullivan South quarterback Curt Phillips is potentially one of the top quarterback prospects in the Southeast in the Class of 2008. The 6-foot-3, 214-pounder from East Tennessee has good size and athleticism and a strong arm.

In the early going Phillips has been getting a number of looks from college programs throughout the South and has been taking unofficial visits to a number of schools.

"Recruiting is going pretty good," he said. "I went to Auburn last weekend for their Junior Day and going to Virginia Tech this coming weekend. I'm pretty much just going to all the campuses and seeing what I like."

Ole Miss, Tennessee, Miami (Fla.) and the Tigers and Vols have been among the programs sending Phillips text messages.

Virginia Tech appears to be the closest to offering at this time.

"Virginia Tech told me the other day that they had approved to offer me, but they still wanted me to come up there so I could throw in front of them," he said. "They said they really don't like to offer anyone that they haven't seen in person, so they would wait until I came up there."

Phillips enjoyed his trip to Auburn.

"Auburn definitely stands out," he said. "It's a nice campus. I've got some relatives that are down there and they always talked about it and how nice it is. Coach Tommy Tuberville seems like a nice guy and I like (Tigers offensive coordinator) Al Borges. (Phillips' recruiter) Coach Don Dunn actually played at East Tennessee State, so there is a connection there."

Phillips knows what he is looking for in a program.

"Just trying to find the highest quality program with a good education," he said. "I'm also Trying to find a coach that's a real good quality guy that I can play under for four years who will guide me."

Phillips, who grew up Tennessee Vols fan, also is interested in the University of Georgia.

"I'd like to check them out," he said.

Phillips will attend the Elite 11 workout in Coral Gables, Fla., and the Athens NIKE Camp. He threw for 2,023 yards and 24 touchdowns his junior year, which followed a sophomore campaign in which he threw for 1,132 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 1,003 yards and 11 touchdowns.