Sand Mountain Reporter

The No. 1 jersey proved to be fitting for Boaz senior Drew Phillips, who finished atop nine categories in the Pirate football record book.

On Wednesday, Phillips joined the No. 1 recruiting class in coach Bronco Mendenhall’s five-year tenure at BYU, honoring the verbal commitment he gave the Cougars in August of 2009.

“I knew from the beginning, when I committed with them at the beginning of the year, that I felt real good about this situation and my decision making, because my family was very supportive and my girlfriend (Kara Webber) was real supportive of it — she wasn’t trying to keep me at home, unlike most girlfriends,” Phillips said.

“I knew this was the place for me, because my family felt great about it. So, I really wasn’t nervous when I woke up this morning. I didn’t lose any sleep over it. I was real comfortable.

“It’s a top 25 recruiting class of the nation, so I just feel really blessed to be a part of it.”

BYU’s class is ranked No. 22 in the nation by Scout.com and No. 24 by ESPN.com. It’s the top-rated recruiting effort from the Mountain West Conference and among schools from a non-automatic qualifying BCS conference.

The Cougars are one of only five programs in the nation to win 10 or more games each of the last four years.

BYU is 43-9 from 2006-09. The Cougars finished 11-2 and No. 12 in the final rankings in 2009.

Phillips will report to Provo on Aug. 6. He plans to work out with Boaz trainer Mario Duster to increase his size and speed. He wants to weigh 195 by the fall.

“I feel like I will be at the right size I need to be when I get up there,” he said.

The Cougars will open the 2010 season by playing host to Washington on Sept. 4.

BYU travels to Florida State on Sept. 18.

Phillips said he will contribute as a freshman.

“They’re not redshirting me. They’re real excited about me,” he said.

“They’ve told me, with my speed, I’ll be on the kick return (team) and possibly do punt returns. They’re going to work me at slot receiver and at running back.

“I’m going to get playing time my freshman year, so I’m very excited. I’m pumped up.”

Phillips described it as “really exciting” to be part of national signing day at Boaz.

Teammates Chase Williams (Jacksonville State signee) and John Coby (Faulkner University signee) also participated in the ceremony in front of a large crowd in the BHS library.

Phillips and Coby have been teammates since peewee football.

“Now we’re going to college, and I just feel really blessed to have the teammates and then the coaching staff that I’ve always had growing up,” Phillips said.

A two-time overall most valuable player in Marshall County, Phillips earned Class 5A all-state honors in 2009.

He finished his amazing career with a Boaz record 5,575 yards.

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