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Port Richmond's Phillips commits to Syracuse
By Zachary Braziller January 6, 2009
Port Richmond standout Torian Phillips, FiveBoroSports.com’s All-City Player of the Year who led the Red Raiders to their first football city championship last month, has verbally committed to Syracuse, becoming new coach Doug Marrone’s first recruit, the senior said.
Phillips, who ran for 34 touchdowns and accumulated 1,586 total yards while also starring at cornerback for the Red Raiders, committed to the Big East school yesterday, picking them over Temple and Rutgers.
“I like the direction of the program and I like the tradition,” said the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Phillips. “They’ve played in big games in the past.”
Phillips, who was recruited as a defensive back but could also see time in the backfield and as a kick returner, was particularly impressed that he was the first player Marrone, the former offensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints, came to see after taking over at Syracuse.
“It makes me feel like I’m going to do something up there,” he said. “I think they have a plan for me to hopefully show what I can do. It makes me feel important.”
Phillips didn’t start playing organized football until his sophomore year. He started every game that season at cornerback before moving over to running back as a junior and breaking out this past fall. Even after such a magnificent season, which included being named MVP of the city championship game after scoring four touchdowns, tying the original record set by Lincoln’s Clive Harding in 1981, the full scholarship left him in awe.
“It’s really hard to believe; I didn’t think I would be this good,” he said. “I used to play football on my block and when I joined the team ... I was really successful.”
Port Richmond coach Lou Vesce said Syracuse is a good fit for Phillips, even with the change of coaches and the Orange’s recent rocky past. After going 10-37 over four season, Greg Robinson was let go in mid November, eventually replaced by Marrone. The scholarship, Vesce said, was offered last spring.
But the program was still in upheaval. When Marrone was given the job, Vesce called the school and spoke with defensive backs coach John Anselmo, the former Nassau Community College head man, who loved Phillips. Marrone, a Bronx native who attended Lehman HS, felt the same way.
“It’s a great pick for them,” Vesce said. “I told them, ‘You got the best player in New York City. You guys want to get back into New York City and bring the program back, you’re picking a guy who can get guys to follow him whether it’s this year or next year.’”
“I’m just surprised Torian didn’t have 20 offers,” the third-year coach continued. “I saw film from guys all around the country. His film is just as good as kids from Florida and kids from Texas. This kid can be an All-Big East player.”
zbraziller@fiveborosports.com
Phillips, who ran for 34 touchdowns and accumulated 1,586 total yards while also starring at cornerback for the Red Raiders, committed to the Big East school yesterday, picking them over Temple and Rutgers.
“I like the direction of the program and I like the tradition,” said the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Phillips. “They’ve played in big games in the past.”
Phillips, who was recruited as a defensive back but could also see time in the backfield and as a kick returner, was particularly impressed that he was the first player Marrone, the former offensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints, came to see after taking over at Syracuse.
“It makes me feel like I’m going to do something up there,” he said. “I think they have a plan for me to hopefully show what I can do. It makes me feel important.”
Phillips didn’t start playing organized football until his sophomore year. He started every game that season at cornerback before moving over to running back as a junior and breaking out this past fall. Even after such a magnificent season, which included being named MVP of the city championship game after scoring four touchdowns, tying the original record set by Lincoln’s Clive Harding in 1981, the full scholarship left him in awe.
“It’s really hard to believe; I didn’t think I would be this good,” he said. “I used to play football on my block and when I joined the team ... I was really successful.”
Port Richmond coach Lou Vesce said Syracuse is a good fit for Phillips, even with the change of coaches and the Orange’s recent rocky past. After going 10-37 over four season, Greg Robinson was let go in mid November, eventually replaced by Marrone. The scholarship, Vesce said, was offered last spring.
But the program was still in upheaval. When Marrone was given the job, Vesce called the school and spoke with defensive backs coach John Anselmo, the former Nassau Community College head man, who loved Phillips. Marrone, a Bronx native who attended Lehman HS, felt the same way.
“It’s a great pick for them,” Vesce said. “I told them, ‘You got the best player in New York City. You guys want to get back into New York City and bring the program back, you’re picking a guy who can get guys to follow him whether it’s this year or next year.’”
“I’m just surprised Torian didn’t have 20 offers,” the third-year coach continued. “I saw film from guys all around the country. His film is just as good as kids from Florida and kids from Texas. This kid can be an All-Big East player.”
zbraziller@fiveborosports.com