Five-star recruit flips to Texas from LSU setting up Longhorns for blockbuster splash on National Signing Day
In the closing hours before Wednesday’s national signing day, Texas has flipped a five-star defensive back. Fort Bend Hightower’s Kade Phillips told 247Sports that he will sign with Texas instead of LSU, the recruiting site reported Tuesday. Phillips originally committed to the Longhorns in early July but switched to the Tigers in mid-August. He stayed […]
In the closing hours before Wednesday’s national signing day, Texas has flipped a five-star defensive back.
Fort Bend Hightower’s Kade Phillips told 247Sports that he will sign with Texas instead of LSU, the recruiting site reported Tuesday.
Phillips originally committed to the Longhorns in early July but switched to the Tigers in mid-August. He stayed with LSU throughout the football season but flipped back to UT late Monday.
Phillips is rated the No. 6 cornerback in the nation and 10th-best prospect in the state of Texas, according to 247Sports.
“I’m very happy with my decision," Phillips texted to Horns247. “I feel like it's the best overall fit for me.”
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Horns247 reported that since Phillips flipped to LSU, the Longhorns changed its recruiting approach. Cornerbacks coach Terry Joseph took over as the primary recruiter, and now Phillips is likely to play cornerback and not safety.
Asked what made him flip back to UT, Phillips said, “Just the overall school. Everything they have and just seeing what they’re doing with Jahdae (Barron).”
Barron should be the poster child for Texas coach Steve Sarkisian and his coaching staff’s ability to develop players into NFL talent. Barron thought about leaving school early last year but was a mid- to late-round NFL prospect. He came back, and this season, Barron is a leading candidate for the Jim Thorpe Award and may have zoomed up to a potential late first-rounder.
The Longhorns’ secondary has also become one of the best pass defenses in college football. Texas has allowed only four passing touchdowns this season, tied for the lowest total among FBS schools.
Wednesday should be a banner day for Longhorns defensive recruit signings. Phillips will join the highly-touted safeties Jonah Williams and Zelus Hicks along with corners Graceson Littlejon and Caleb Chester.
