Phillips excited about Army opportunity
SAN ANTONIO – Aubrey Phillips was focused on his basketball season until he got a call last week, inviting him to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
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The 6-foot-6, 310-pound offensive tackle from Olive Branch, Miss., joins the East squad, replacing Austin Long, who is injured with a back injury.
"They could have called anybody to take his spot, but they called me, and I am really honored," Phillips said. "It is a great feeling to be considered an All-American."
Phillips plans to sign a letter of intent with Tennessee come Feb. 4, but because of the coaching change in Knoxville, he has decided to take a look around.
"I still feel 100 percent committed to Tennessee," Phillips said. "I feel like I am home up there. The atmosphere, the campus, I love it."
Phillips is scheduled to take his official visit to Tennessee the weekend of Jan. 16, but he has lined up trips with three other programs.
"I am also going to visit Arkansas on Jan. 9, Mississippi State on the 23rd and Florida State on the 30th," Phillips said. "A coach from Mississippi State and (offensive line) coach Rick Trickett from Florida State have both come to watch me play basketball. I was impressed when they showed up at my game.
"They really have to make me come to their side, convince me to go there. I really don't think it will happen. But if I feel one of those other schools best fits me, I'll go there."
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