Venice pipeline flowing: DT Phillips commits

Just hours after three-star defensive end Clay Burton officially announced his commitment to the Florida Gators, 2012 defensive tackle recruit Omari Phillips (Venice, FL) followed suit. According to Rivals, Phillips has made his intention to play for the University of Florida known after heavy consideration and some influence from two very close friends.

“I made it official today and committed. I am a Gator,” Phillips told Rivals‘ Chris Nee. “They were my leader for a while, but the main reason I did it today is because when I moved to Venice me, Clay and Trey [Burton], I lived with them for a while during the summer time and me and Clay always talked about how if we got the same offer, that we wanted to go to the same school. He committed today and I committed today too. […] They are like brothers to me. I can’t wait to keep playing alongside them.”

Recruited by both assistant head coach defense/defensive line Dan McCarney and offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Steve Addazio, the high school junior sports a 6’6″, 270 lb. frame and can play on both sides of the ball (though he prefers defense).

Phillips, a member of the ESPNU 150 Watch List, has received offers from well over a dozen other schools including Alabama, Miami, Florida State and Tennessee.

OGGOA RELATED: UF doubles up, Clay Burton commits to Gators