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Pitt FB Recruiting

Florida 3-Star OL Kyjuan Phillips Talks With Dave Borbely, Decision Close

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Pitt will be boasting their offensive line depth in this recruiting class, with plans to sign as many as five players. The Panthers have received commitments from four players and spoke last night with a player that could eventually become their fifth addition.

Offensive line coach Dave Borbely had a FaceTime conversation last night with 3-star offensive tackle Kyjuan Phillips from Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Florida. Phillips received an offer from Tim Salem back in February and the staff have recruited him consistently and aggressively every since.

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Phillips also holds offers from East Carolina, Colorado State, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, Liberty, Kent State and Coastal Carolina but at this point, the Panthers seem like the clear leader to land him.

“At first, Coach Borbely wanted to find out how my family and I were doing,” Phillips told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “After that, I asked him if they were doing to be taking more lineman and he said ‘Yeah, we might take two more. He then said that we already got two tackles to commit, so if you were to commit, you’d be playing at either guard or center. I’m a tackle now but I also know that I’m a short tackle (6’4″, 285) so I’m fine with playing either guard or center at the next level. He also said how much he and the team still wants me.”

“What’s always interested me about Pitt is the history they have with their football program and the facilities that they have. They’re the only college team in the country that shares facilities with an NFL team. That’s crazy. I also like the fact that Coach Salem and Borbs have been there a long time and plan on being at Pitt for a while.”

I asked Phillips what went through his head when he said that Pitt received commitments from two offensive lineman last week? Did he think that his offer to Pitt was no longer committable?

“It was very reassuring to hear Coach Borbely tell me that they still want me. I’m going to be making my decision soon because I want to focus on my senior year and not have to worry or think about recruiting, I want to be state champs.”

Phillips is a player that could provide Pitt with position flexibility plus the fact that he’s still young and developing. Prior to starting high school, Phillips had never played organized football so he just has three years of experience.

“I believe my film shows that I’m an athletic player and while I’m not as heavy as other lineman, I’m as strong as the next man,’ said Phillips. “I’m a competitor. I just started playing three years ago and didn’t know anything about the offensive or defensive line before high school.”

In terms of a timeline, Phillips could announce his decision sometime before the end of the month.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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Clark Martineau
3 years ago

Playing at Heinz Field seems to be an advantage in recruiting. I have heard a lot of recruits comment positively on Pitt and the Steelers sharing facilities.

Rob
Rob
3 years ago

Sharing facilities comes up so often in these interviews and the responses are so similar that I wonder if it’s the result of leading questions. It most definitely is a differentiator but if it was that important, Pat and the staff would be attracting higher caliber talent. In other words, it’s a nice to have. Kinda like the air freshener when you get your car detailed.

Alan Saunders
Admin
3 years ago
Reply to  Rob

Relationship with the Steelers and history of putting kids in the NFL are Pitt’s two biggest selling points by a long shot. If a kid is even a little bit interested in Pitt, chances are he likes those things.

 
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