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Name: Ervin Phillips
Position: Running Back
Year: Freshman
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 174
Hometown: West Haven, CT
High School: West Haven High School
2013 Stats: Erv rushed 257 times for 1,812 yards, caught 16 passes for 275 yards, tallied 35 total touchdowns, and had 57 tackles, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions as a defensive back. He ended up setting school records for career rushing yards (4,596), career touchdowns (88), and career total yards (6,182).
2014 Projections: Phillips walks into a pretty crowded field at RB. Prince-Tyson Gulley is pretty solid as the No. 1 guy and Adonis Ameen-Moore has re-emerged as the No. 2. George Morris II and Devante McFarlane are fighting for the leftover carries. And then there's Phillips and Greg Tobias buried on the depth chart. With injuries and changing depth charts as the season goes on, who's to say he won't see a little PT?
How'd He Get Here?: Nine schools were interested in Erv, including Pittsburgh, Boston College, Connecticut, Maryland, Temple, Villanova, and Maine. He attended Syracuse's game at MetLife Stadium against Penn State and committed the next day, thus proving why we play there.
What'd Scout/Rivals Say?: Scout - 2*, Rivals - 2*, 247 - 3*, ESPN - 3*
Money Quote: "I admire competition, and especially when a team or program is moving into a new conference. I know they look like the underdog. I like the idea of coming into something like that and competing day in and day out. Coach McDonald sounded excited over the phone with me so that got me even more excited." (via)
Links Of Wonder: Three Reasons Landing Connecticut RB Ervin Philips Is Important for Syracuse
Twitterfeed: @Ambition1_
Tweets Of Wonder:
It's That Time #14Era pic.twitter.com/8CDOdRk8mp
— Ervin Philips (@Ambition1_) July 24, 2014
What Does Scott Shafer Think Of Him: "We wanted one (running back) that could be a kid that could play both at the tailback position and even get out and play in the slot and even catch the ball out of the backfield. I think we found that guy."
Interesting Nugget O'Interest: Phillips joins fellow Connecticut folks Floyd Little and Dwight Freeney in playing for the Orange. Seems to work out well.
Let's Get A Good Look Atcha: