BYU football: Recruit visiting Cincinnati this week

Drew Phillips, a speedy running back from Boaz, Ala., who committed to sign with BYU next week, has set up a recruiting trip to Big East champion University of Cincinnati this weekend, according to his high school coach.

Phillips, who visited BYU this month and reaffirmed his BYU pledge, is one of the top sprinters in Alabama's largest competitive divisions. With the departure of Bearcat Coach Brian Kelly to Notre Dame, Phillips became a target of new coach Butch Jones, who is scrambling to finish off recruiting disrupted by the coaching change after the Sugar Bowl.

"Drew has set up a trip to Cincinnati but I don't believe he will change his mind," said Boaz High coach Drew Noles. "He loves BYU and is solid for them.

He just accepted the invitation to make another trip and I don't expect things will change for him."

BYU offensive coordinator Robert Anae was in Boaz on Wednesday shoring up things with Phillips, according to Noles. "He has also been in contact with receiver coach Patrick Higgins."

Phillips gained 2,200 yards as a junior and went over the 1,900 mark this fall as a halfback, kick returner and quarterback out of the wildcat formation for Boaz. He is also a starter on the Boaz basketball team, averaging 12 points a game.

e-mail: dharmon@desnews.com