Tag: tristan phillips

2026 4-Star LB Tristan Phillips commits to Oregon

Tristan Phillips, a 4-star linebacker in the class of 2026, has verbally committed to the Oregon Ducks.

A few days after an exhilarating early signing day, Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks still have momentum on the recruiting trail. The Ducks 2025 class is ranked 4th overall by 247Sports, and on Saturday, Oregon secured a commitment from elite class of 2026 linebacker Tristan Phillips, according to Max Torres of On3Sports.

Phillips is the Ducks’ 10th commit in the class of 2026, which is already ranked as the No. 1 overall class in college football. From Ventura, California, Phillips ranks as a 4-star recruit and is 247Sports’ No. 13 LB in 2026.

At 6 foot 3 inches and 215 pounds, Phillips has a leaner frame than the average college linebacker, but he’s still a junior in high school, so he has time to add more weight if he wishes. Despite the lean frame, Phillips has a lot of strength, which combined with his speed, makes him an elite open-field tackler.

Before announcing his commitment, Phillips looked at plenty of schools across the West Coast, including Arizona State, Utah, and Washington.

Phillips’ commitment came just hours before Oregon’s matchup against Penn State in the Big Ten Championship. Linebackers Jeffrey Bassa, Bryce Boettcher, and Jestin Jacobs will all be key factors for the Ducks in the game, but all three will be out of eligibility after this season. Oregon grabbed a few linebackers in the class of 2025, but adding Phillips in the 2026 class is key to building long-term solidity on defense.

Top-ranked class of 2026 linebacker target includes Badgers in final list

Wisconsin top-ranked class of 2026 linebacker target includes Badgers in final list

Wisconsin top class of 2026 target Tristan Phillips included the Badgers in his list of final schools on Monday.

Phillips joined fellow 2026 four-star recruit Ben Nichols as the second player to include Wisconsin in his final cohort on Monday.

Phillips, who received his offer from the Badgers on April 25, included Wisconsin as a finalist along with Washington, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Oregon and Utah.

When he received his offer, the Ventura, California native was 247Sports’ No. 199 player in the class of 2026, No. 12 linebacker and No. 24 recruit from the state of California. The outlet still considers the junior a top 200 recruit and a four-star prospect.

Like Nichols, Phillips does not hold a 247Sports crystal ball prediction at this stage of his recruitment. On3’s recruiting prediction machine isn’t sure either — UCLA is favored but only holds a 19.7% chance of landing his commitment.

Here’s what 247Sports’ National Recruiting Analyst Greg Biggins had to say about Phillips in his recruiting profile:

“Long athletic ‘backer who also plays basketball. Has a very projectable 6-3, 210 pound frame, is a fluid athlete, runs well and and can hit. Reactionary athlete with some quick twitch to him, can drop, comfortable in space, makes plays sideline to sideline and can get there in a hurry. Attacks line of scrimmage, stands up blockers and has a nice edge to him. Shows the positional versatility to play inside or outside ‘backer and could even move to edge rusher depending on how much bigger he gets over the next few years. High major Power 4 prospect with the talent to play for anyone out West.”

Phillips has certainly showcased this versatility throughout his senior campaign at Ventura High School. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker has registered 80 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception through 11 games.

Wisconsin football offers two of 2026’s top-ranked linebackers

Wisconsin football offers two of 2026’s top-ranked linebackers

Wisconsin extended offers to two of the class of 2026’s top-ranked linebackers on Thursday: four-stars Tristan Phillips and Cincere Johnson.

Phillips, first, is a Ventura, California native and is 247Sports’ No. 199 player in the class of 2026, No. 12 linebacker and No. 24 recruit from the state of California. Meanwhile, Johnson is from Cleveland, Ohio and is 247Sports’ No. 127 player in the class, No. 14 linebacker and No. 5 recruit from the state of Ohio.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 spring transfer portal window tracker

Both four-star linebackers are highly pursued, even at this early stage in the 2026 recruiting process. Phillips has eight total offers, including from Washington, Arizona, Arizona State and Notre Dame. Johnson also now has eight with the addition of Wisconsin, from programs including Notre Dame, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Louisville and Kentucky.

Wisconsin has now offered both prospects early in the recruiting cycle, though may have uphill battles to land either. On3’s recruiting forecast tool gives Phillips a 29% chance to choose Cal Poly, 25% chance to choose San Diego State, 22% chance to choose Arizona and 18% to choose Notre Dame. Johnson’s is a bit more straight forward — 44% to Notre Dame, 20% to Michigan State, 17% to Cincinnati and 14% to Louisville.

Time still remains for those predictions to change as more schools enter the mix. But Wisconsin is taking a few big swings at this early stage in the 2026 cycle.

 

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