That made it quite easy for
the Oxford resident to get a chance to take in the Grove Bowl this past Saturday.
"It
was straight," added Montez Phillips. "I got a chance to talk to Coach
(Kent) Austin. The game was alright until it got hot."
Naturally the
6' 3", 190 pound high school quarterback, who is projected to play anything
from slot to defensive back on the next level, has had a chance to view the local
campus on numerous occasions. Was there anything new he learned about Ole Miss
during the visit?
"I learned that they are real competitive. They
like to win. I can tell everyone likes to win over there."
The Rebels
just happen to be recruiting Montez for the position that Dexter McCluster is
currently playing, and that is a big plus Phillips.
"They do the same
things with Dexter that they do with me at Lafayette County, but I was not really
watching their WR's that much. I was just watching Dexter when he was at RB, QB,
or when they lined him out wide. That is what they are recruiting me for, and
that is what I want to play. I love that role over here at Lafayette County, and
that is what I want to do on the next level."
Was this the first face
to face meeting Montez has had with the Ole Miss staff?
"No, I
went over there and met with them when they offered him, and I have been back
a couple of times to see them. Their coaches are pretty much the biggest selling
point for me. They are laid back and cool. When I make my decision, that is what
I am looking for."
What did the Ole Miss staff discuss with Montez
this time around?
"Their offensive coordinator came over to me and
said I was going to be doing what #22 (Dexter McCluster) did. He asked me how
my baseball season was going and things like that. Before I came on my visit.
I wanted to see how their coaches interacted with the players during the game,
and they interacted with them pretty good, so that will be a part of my decision
too."
Baseball season has really heated up which has negated Montez
from taking many visits.
"I have only been over to MSU and Ole
Miss. I wanted to get down to USM and check things out too. I want to see all
of the colleges who have offered me but the playoffs start Friday. I will take
in some football camps and see their campuses through that avenue. I am in no
hurry to make a decision. I will probably make it after my season is over. The
only other colleges who are showing me much interest who have not offered are
Stanford and Nebraska, but they are not talking about any offers yet. They are
just sending me a bunch of letters."
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