SAN ANTONIO -- The first announcement at the 2015 US Army All-American Bowl may turn out to be one of the more surprising decisions of the event, as Nashville (Tenn.) Hillsboro defensive end Kyle Phillips pledged to the Tennessee Volunteers.
Four-star DE Kyle Phillips commits to Tennessee
Recruiting momentum under Butch Jones has continued for the Volunteers as Phillips makes commitment to Tennessee at the 2015 US Army All-American Bowl.
The 6’4, 250-pounder managed to keep his decision a secret during the week, choosing Tennessee over finalists LSU and Ole Miss.
How unclear was the destination for Phillips just minutes before his announcement? Check this out:
Today I've had three different sources tell me Kyle Phillips is going to three different schools. We will all know the truth shortly
— Woody Wommack (@RivalsWoody) January 3, 2015
For much of the process, the Volunteers seemed to be the leader, as the proximity of Knoxville to Nashville allowed Phillips to take numerous visits. But he also made multiple trips to his other finalists, taking in two games in Baton Rouge and two games in Oxford.
Prior to his commitment, his 247Sports Crystal Ball stood at 49% Tennessee, 31% LSU, and 9% Ole Miss.
Other schools to offer included Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ohio State, Penn State, Stanford, and Virginia, among others.
Phillips is the No. 110 prospect overall, the No. 8 strongside defensive end, and the No. 2 prospect in the state of Tennessee, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
With the addition of Phillips, Tennessee now has 27 pledges in the 2015 class, which was already at No. 5 nationally for the Volunteers in the 247Sports Composite team rankings and No. 3 in the SEC prior to Phillips adding his name to the commitment list.
