In-state DB sets sights on USC offer. Georgia WR has USC among favorites
Defensive back Andru Phillips of Mauldin visited South Carolina earlier this month for a mini-junior day and feels the Gamecocks feel strongly about him.
Not strong enough to offer yet, but strong enough to have Phillips (6-1, 176) high up on their board for Class of 2020 corners.
“I got to see the new facilities and they look great,” Phillips said. “And then got to talk to the coaches and they showed me around and told me how much they like me. Then, coach Muschamp brought me to his office and talked to me and my family, just telling me where we stand right now in recruiting. They said I’m an offer guy, they’ve just got to figure out what’s going on with the past class that just finished and then they’re going to see where I stand.”
Last season Phillips had 50 tackles with 2 interceptions and 13 pass deflections. He said the Gamecocks like what they see of his coverage skills.
“They like my feet and my hips and how I understand the game,” Phillips said. “I’m smart on the field and I run downhill and hit.”
Phillips already has some major offers to consider but one from USC would give him a lot to think about.
“If I got the opportunity, I would like it a lot,” he said, “just because of what they’ve got going on, and playing SEC football. They are really stepping up their game and their program to be at the top of the SEC the next couple of years. That’s what I really like about it.”
Phillips has offers from Virginia Tech, Kentucky, West Virginia, Wake Forest, East Carolina, Penn State, Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State and Georgia Southern. He’s also hearing from Clemson, and the Tigers are telling him some encouraging things.
“They are showing me a lot of interest right now,” Phillips said. “They say I’m at the top of their board for my position and they are trying to get me up there around the coaches and everything. They talk to me and and tell me where I’m going to play and I feel like I will fit into their scheme well. And they are coming off a national championship and that’s real big. They’re playing top football.”
Phillips also has visited Kentucky and Virginia Tech. He is going to Wake Forest next weekend, North Carolina the weekend after that, Clemson on March 9 and East Carolina March 23. And he plans to visit USC again for a spring practice.
Phillips said he’d like to make his decision coming out of the spring or early in the summer.
Receiver has USC among favorites
Wide receiver Justin Robinson (6-4, 205) of McDonough, Georgia, was offered last month by USC, and the Gamecocks have moved up his list, holding a share of the lead for him with Georgia and Virginia.
Gamecock receivers coach Bryan McClendon has been leading the effort and Robinson has connected well with him.
“Coach McClendon, I really like what he’s got going on down at South Carolina,” Robinson said. “Coach McClendon said he likes all the tools I’ve got. He said if I come there he’s going to coach me like I’m his own son. I really like that.”
Last season Robinson had 750 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. He said McClendon likes several aspects of his game.
“He likes my speed, my ability to get the ball and my aggressiveness blocking wise,” Robinson said.
He also has offers from Notre Dame, Boston College, Tennessee, Central Florida, Kentucky, Florida, Florida State and West Virginia. He has visited USC, Georgia, Virginia, Florida and Georgia Tech and will be visiting Wake Forest this weekend. Next weekend he plans to visit Clemson and Notre Dame.
Robinson doesn’t plan to make a decision until September or October and he will not be signing early.
Notes
▪ Tennessee offered Cheraw WR Jalen Coit.
▪ USC O-line commitment Issiah Walker plans to visit Miami Saturday.
▪ USC D-line target target Myles Murphy of Greensboro, North Carolina, was offered by Miami.
▪ Class of 2021 WR Joshua Burrell of Blythewood was offered by Penn State and Arkansas.