UC adds one more player to recruiting class of 2010

UC and head coach Butch Jones have added another player to the roster for next season, Ty Phillips, a defensive tackle that graduated from East St. Louis High School in 2009. He originally signed to play for the Missouri Tigers last year, but didn’t meet the NCAA’s academic standards, so he enrolled at Union Christian and Pace, where he is two weeks from academically qualifying.

According to Tim Adams of Bearcatlair.com, Phillips said, “I came down to UC today and met with Coach Jones. He offered me a spot and I took it right then.” He also told Adams that Ohio State and Virginia Tech were interested in him after hearing that his grades had improved.

He chose UC not because of the Bearcats’ success on the gridiron, but because of UC’s academic track record, something Butch Jones has pushed since he arrived at UC. “It wasn’t because of football. It was mainly because of the academic part,” Phillips told Adams. “They have a good rate of graduating African-Americans. That’s the main reason I went there. Plus, all the coaches are down to earth.”

When people ask about the Bearcats’ chances of becoming three-time Big East champions, the biggest question marks are on the defensive side of the football. Adding players like Ty Phillips certainly bolsters an already stout defensive line.

For Tim Adams’s complete story visit: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100511/SPT0101/305110035/1062/SPT/Bearcats+add+2010+recruit