ORLANDO — Saturday wasn’t just about repeating as Class 6A state champs for Da’Vante Phillips.
The 2015 Florida receiver commit wanted to avenge Miami Central’s 40-31 loss to Seffner Armwood in the 2010 final, when he committed a costly turnover as a freshman.
In a rematch with the Hawks, Phillips helped the Rockets run away with a 52-7 victory. The 6-foot-1, 189-pounder caught four passes for 92 yards and a touchdown and set up with another score with a 41-yard punt return.
“It felt very good to redeem myself from the loss in 2010. I fumbled against them and it really hurt us in that game. So this was personal for me,” Phillips said.
The combination of Phillips and Dalvin Cook was too much for Armwood to handle. The two are close friends off the field, and Phillips would like to follow Cook wherever he goes to school.
“It’s a deadly combination with us,” Phillips said. “We’re going to make a major impact in college. We’re with each other 24/7. We talk all the time and do everything together. I want to play to with him for three more years and win some more championships.”
Where they will play is to be determined. Cook is currently committed to UF but will make a final decision at the Under Armour All-American Game, with Florida State and Miami being his other finalists.
At this time, Phillips thinks his teammate will stick with the Gators.
“Florida, that’s all I know is Florida,” he said when asked for his prediction on Cook. “He hasn’t said anything to me about changing his mind. But it’s going to be very hard. He’s getting pulled in all three directions.”
Phillips, meanwhile, remains pledged to UF.
“I’m still committed,” he said. “I can’t base my decision on what they did this season. It really sucked. But I still have another year before I get there. I have to base my decision on 2014 when Dalvin and his class goes there. I want to see a big change.”
Phillips believes he can be a difference maker in Florida’s offense, which has ranked lower than 100th nationally the past three years.
“I can go there right now and play,” he said. “I feel like I can make an impact. What’s going on with the team now, that’s them. I don’t know none of them or talk to none of them. But when it’s my time, things aren’t going to be like that.”
Good to hear. Feel really good about our chances with these guys. Can’t wait to see them in the orange and blue!
thats what i like to hear,,,now talk to your homeboy cook! were gonna fire chump, and get back to winning championships
Just got word that Tyler Murphy will transfer. What the hell is going on?!!!?? Now there’s absolutely NO depth behind Driskel! This really suxx bad! What’s the frickin’ deal??????!!!!!
i think murph just wants to play,,and not back drisk up!
yea can you blame the kid? he has 1 final year to play football and he doesn’t want to be 3rd string again. Transfers happen all the time.. it’s good Skyler got some games under his belt..
Driskel
Grier
Skyer M.
I wouldn’t be shocked if Muschamp goes after another QB recruit now just to get some more depth but we’ll be fine as long as we stay healthy at that position.
ON THE MURPHY TRANSFER. i READ WHERE MUSCHAMP SAYS HE TALKED TO TYLER THIS WEEK AND TOLD HIM THAT THE QB POSITION WOULD BE AN OPEN COMPETITION. I GUESS MUSCHAMP DIDN’T THINK TYLER WOULD REMEMBER THE “SOCALLED” OPEN COMPETITION BETWEEN DRISKEL AND BRISSET. SO MURPHY SAID “OK THAT MEANS “TRANSFER”. HE REMEMBER HOW “FAIR AND OPEN THAT COMPETITION WAS. GO GATORS!!!!!
excellent point,,creek gator!
We keep hearing about this supposed talent, UF had the best group of wide receivers last year, according to the recruiting experts. Do they, along with highly touted quarterbacks, suddenly become mediocre when they arrive in Gainesville? Who’s leaving UF next? I doubt this is the last of the exits. Is UF’s prospects for improvement on offense rest in the hands of Jeff Driskel? I don’t think that is good news.
muschamp may become a great coach,, but not at uf,,, good luck to him in his future endeavors,,,looking forward to his exit go gators!!
Zach
Just in Dalvin Cook is going to UM. Al told him that he could change the program and win championship. He really wasn’t truly committed to the gators. He love the attention from the process.
With all of these transfers its geting scary. Now Champ & Co. have to re-recruit a QB prospect that they wouldn’t have to otherwise. Which would leave the recruit to zsk are u only recruiting me b/c u want me or NEED me? This doesn’t look good at all. Hopefully they had someone in mind to compete with Will. Otherwise UF will look alot like 2011 when Brantley went down. Get it straight coaches!!!! GO GATORS!!!!
[…] in Saturday’s Class 6A state championship game, and his name wasn’t Dalvin Cook or Da’Vante Phillips of Miami […]
[…] told The Sun on Dec. 15 he was still committed to Florida but wanted to see a big change on offense. The 6-foot-1, […]