UCF issues hometown offer to Ocoee DT
UCF defensive tackles coach Kenny Martin starred at Ocoee High School during the 2000s, signing with Western Kentucky in 2008 and going on to have a successful playing career with the Hilltoppers, later coaching for the school as well.
Now part of Gus Malzahn's inaugural UCF staff in Orlando, Martin issued an offer on Thursday to a defensive tackle at his old high school.
Jordan Phillips, who is 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, already had a relationship with Martin so he wasn't too surprised when he got back in touch.
"I already knew from when he coached at WKU," Phillips said. "He offered me when he was there. He contacted me again now that he's at UCF. He told me he loves the way I play and how the entire staff wanted to offer me."
Being from the Orlando area, Phillips is already pretty familiar with UCF.
"I really like the colors and the program in general really stands out to me," Phillips said. "UCF is a great school and Coach Martin is a great person."
Auburn, Iowa State, Marshall, Miami, Michigan Missouri, Pittsburgh, South Florida and Virginia are among his other offers.
"I weigh 290 pounds right now, but people look at high school guys that heavy and think they're fat boys," Phillips said in a prior interview with Rivals. "But I'm a big, lean 290, and quick off the ball... I have a lot of speed, quickness and aggressiveness on the field."
What will he look for in a school?
"Education is definitely No. 1," Phillips said. "Next would be a good environment for me and also a program where I can play and excel as a student-athlete. My goal going into college will not only be to increase my athleticism, but to also increase my education."
