Tallahassee WR: UCF is No. 1
Tallahassee (Fla.) North Florida Christian wide receiver Christian Philpott has a leader following last week's visit to UCF.
Upon arrival, the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder was relayed some very welcome news.
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"I got an offer," Philpott said. "It was after the practice (last Thursday). The coach came over and said, 'You know you have an offer from UCF.' I thought they might because they said they liked my film and really wanted me to visit. I didn't know it would happen when I first got there.
"I was excited. It's close to home. I don't know where I'm going yet, but UCF is No. 1 on my list."
He's been communicating the most with defensive coordinator Tyson Summers and wide receivers coach Sean Beckton.
Philpott spent Thursday and Friday on campus. On Saturday, he participated in the Rivals Camp Series at Oviedo High School.
"I liked the practice that I saw," Philpott said. "It's fast-paced. I like hitting. I got a tour of the stadium and all the facilities. I liked it. The whole campus stood out to me. I took the student tour and it was all really nice."
The offer was made official during a sit-down meeting with head coach George O'Leary last Friday.
"They liked that I can go get it on go routes, curls and they like my size of course," Philpott said. "They said I'm a good kid."
Philpott was made aware of UCF's need for wide receivers who can step in and play immediately in 2015. The Knights graduate four seniors and a fifth, Breshad Perriman, could leave early to go to the NFL. Philpott met Perriman while on the visit.
"Everybody's leaving," Philpott said. "They said when I get there I'd have a chance to start. That's a plus for me with UCF."
While in the football complex, he spotted the player who could be the NFL's No. 1 overall draft pick.
"I met UCF's quarterback who's about to go to the league, Blake Bortles," Philpott said. "I saw him from behind and thought that's a big dude. Then I saw his face and I was like, 'Oh my God that's Blake Bortles!' I took a picture with him."
His current offer list also includes Cincinnati, East Carolina, Indiana, NC State, Northwestern, Ole Miss, Penn State, Southern Miss, Texas Tech, UAB, USF, Vanderbilt, Virginia and Wake Forest.
What makes UCF stand out?
"I liked everything I saw, it's close and they throw the ball a lot," Philpott said. "I was also real impressed with their last season last year."
Philpott said it's likely that he makes a commitment during the summer after visitng a few other schools.