Rivals100 LB Jacob Phillips calls Oklahoma official "great experience"

Rivals100 linebacker Jacob Phillips had already been to Oklahoma for an extended visit back in the spring, but that didn’t make him any less impressed with the Sooners following his official visit over the weekend.

“It was fun and it was even better than that last time,” said Phillips, the nation’s No. 37 overall player. “It wasn’t just seeing all the stuff it was getting to experience the game day atmosphere and being around the coaches and players and seeing how they prepare and work with each other was a great experience.”

Philips said the Oklahoma coaches made it very clear that he’s a priority and he got plenty of time to pick the brain of head coach Bob Stoops during a brunch at Stoops’ home on Sunday.

“Me and my parents went over to his house and the whole staff was there,” Phillips said. “He took us out back and we really got to sit and talk and hang out and have fun. It was a chance to get to see a different side of him and it was pretty cool to have that opportunity.”

Phillips has mentioned the possibility of early playing time potentially playing a factor in his college decision. He was hosted on the trip by sophomore Tay Evans and the two spoke plenty about playing together next fall.

“The opportunity to play is there in front of me,” Phillips said. “Their starting middle linebacker is a senior and they have a couple of other guys at WILL position so I would have the chance to come in and play if I took care of everything on my end.”

Because of his extended visit back in the spring, Phillips wasn’t overly concerned with seeing facilities or other bells and whistles; he wanted to get a true feel for what it would be like to be a member of the team.

“This time was more of a bonding experience,” Phillips said. “Obviously you ask the normal questions – where will I be staying? What will I be doing? How can they help me get to the next level? -- but this was a chance for me to bond with not only the coaches but the players and just feel out the whole vibe of playing at Oklahoma.”

It helped that regardless of where he went in Norman, the was a Sooners fan waiting to tell Phillips just how much he was wanted by the school’s fan base.

“Even just going out with the players and stuff like that, just being down where everyone is, people recognized me and were trying to recruit me, telling me 'Boomer Sooner' and stuff,” Phillips said. “I guess they must have seen me on Twitter. It just shows you it’s a college town and everyone cares about Oklahoma football there."

Phillips visited Oregon last weekend and said he preferred not to compare the two experiences. Instead he will complete his five trips and then come to a decision with the help of his family. Next up on his list is a trip to Notre Dame, followed by Alabama and LSU.