Make the plays, and they will find you. That is the backbone of college football’s recruiting process. Out of Alabama’s Booker T. Washington High School in Tuskegee, 2024 outside linebacker Joseph Phillips made the plays this fall, and next level scouts are now finding him.

Since Nov. 2 when Auburn offered, Phillps has seen his star power take off. After the Tigers dropped their opportunity, Penn State, Troy, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Georgia, and Alabama have followed suit.

The jumping off point with Auburn got some push after Phillips took a game-day to The Plains.

“It was great,” Phillips said. “It was fun. I like their facilities.”

Getting Hugh Freeze as a head coach works for Phillips.

“I think it will be good,” Phillips shared. “I think it is good that coach Cadillac (Willaims) is still on staff. With his energy and Freeze’s coaching, that is a good thing. I think they will be a good team.”

More SEC teams will get a chance to host Phillips in the new year.

“I know I am taking some visits in January for Junior Days,” Phillips said. “Tennessee, Alabama, and I know I will visit Georgia on Jan. 23. Those are the only three right now that I know of.”

Phillips shared his interest in the three SEC programs.

Tennessee: “I like the atmosphere. I visited there a long time ago. I was a basketball player first; I played in tournaments there. The campus is amazing. If I am going to a school, it is about the environment and the people there.”

Alabama: “I am interested in Alabama because of my family, everyone is an Alabama fan; you know how that goes. They are one of the top programs, them and Georgia. You don’t get any better than that. I hear they have great facilities and a great training staff; I want to see that too.”

Georgia: “I like how it is close to home. Also, they have my position. That is another reason I would want to go there. I know if I go there, I would be playing the same position.”

NOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW

Making that transition from the hardwood to the gridiron was an easy one for Phillips. He broke loose on 4A Alabama offenses racking up 75 tackles, 19 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, 16 QB hurries, knocked down four passes, and recovered four fumbles during his junior campaign.