Stanford impresses four-star

Things are beginning to wind down on the recruiting trail for four-star offensive lineman Michael Philipp (6-3, 320, 5.1) from San Bernardino (Calif.) Cajon. Philipp had an outstanding senior season and lived up to his reputation as one of the Western Region's best offensive line prospects. He took his fourth official visit to Stanford this past weekend and has one more to go.

"Stanford went well," Philipp said. "I liked the players, they were cool. My hosts were Matthew Masifilo and Tavita Pritchard."

"On the first day we took a tour around the campus and got acquainted with everything," Philipp said. "Then we ended the day playing laser tag against the coaches and the players won."

"The next night there was a dance where the Stanford players brought their dates and the recruits brought their families," Philipp said. "The dance was pretty cool."

"This was the first trip I brought my mom, my brother and his girl friend, so they were able to see what it was like," Philipp said. "The family really liked Stanford."

"My mom really likes the Stanford education and the prestige that it brings," Philipp said. "My brother told me to go to the school that I want to go."

"The decision is a lot tougher than I thought it would be," Philipp said. "But in the end, I'm sure the decision I make will be the right one."

"Right after my Oregon State visit (Jan. 16)," Philipp said. "I'll start to narrow things down a bit and start to move towards a decision. All six schools that I'm interested in are still in the mix."

The six schools still on the table are Arizona, the school where two of his brothers played; Cal, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford and UCLA.

Philipp said if he feels that he knows what the right school is for him then he could choose after Oregon State, but there is a very good chance that this one won't be decided until signing day.

Philipp is being recruited to play tackle, but he is open to playing center or guard. He played center after the third game this season.

The talented offensive lineman made the Rivals.com Rivals100 for the class of 2009 landing as the nation's No. 38 prospect at any position. Rivals.com ranks Philipp as the nation's No. 2 run blocker and the country's No. 3 pass blocker.

Philipp is also rated by Rivals.com as the nation's No. 1 offensive guard for the class of 2009 and he was selected to the Rivals.com California Preseason Top 100 team ranked as the Golden State's No. 8 prospect at any position.