Matt Moscona, host of After Further Review on 1045 ESPN Baton Rouge, was joined by LSU commitment Phillip Wright on Friday. They discussed his flip from Michigan, his style of play and his connection with former Destrehan players who have played for LSU. You can find the full interview HERE
You committed to Michigan, decided to flip to LSU. Why did you make that decision?
- You know, coming in, Michigan had checked all the boxes. Me coming to that (Bayou Splash), being able to pick the coaches’ brains and see other opportunities. LSU at the end of the day checked more boxes, and that’s why I felt at home. It’s a home feeling. At the end of the day, I felt like LSU was the best for me.
We talked not long ago about Destrehan on the show. You committed. You’ve got a teammate (Jhase Thomas) committed. Kolaj Cobbins, who was your teammate a year ago at Destrehan, is now on the team. I mean, there’s a long line. The Jeffersons, John Emery. It’s a long line of LSU players from Destrehan. How big a deal is it to be a guy from Destrehan and have the opportunity to play at LSU?
- It’s an amazing feeling. Like I said before, it’s home. Plus, I got my teammates there so they get to tell me inside and out what’s good about the school and what’s bad. It’s a blessing. Some of the best athletes coming from Destrehan got the opportunity to play at LSU. Me following behind those footsteps would be amazing.
Even when you committed to Michigan, the LSU staff continued recruiting you. What’s your relationship like with Cortez Hankton, Frank Wilson and the LSU staff?
- Our relationship has gained more over the past few months, just talking every day with them. They can pick my brain. I’m able to pick their brain. We’ve gained a stronger relationship. Without the relationship, we’re nothing. We’ve been talking for a while. They’ve been showing me how I can be used in an LSU offense. Me coming in, making a big impact with my speed and my other abilities with the best quarterback Bryce Underwood leaving Michigan to go to LSU.
Did Bryce Underwood talk to you when you were committed to Michigan?’
- We talked a little bit. We didn’t talk too much
What did he say? Did he try to get you to flip to LSU?
- I think once I committed to Michigan, he started following me (on social media). That’s when the staff started pushing hard, so I think it was up to a line.
Let’s talk a little about you as a player. We all see the track speed. That’s obviously a part of your game, but walk me through your game as a receiver.
- As a receiver, you know, I’m a game changer. With the ball in my hands, I can make big things happen. I shock people with the moves I come up with. I’m not just fast. I can make a person miss. I can break tackles. I’m an athlete at the end of the day. And don’t disrespect me.
Do you return kicks and punts, as well? Is that something you’d like to do at LSU?
- Yes, I do kick return and punt return. I like to get in the backfield. It’s different ways to get my hands on the ball and make things happen.
Where in your senior season who you say you’d like to improve?
- I’d like to improve on just getting a little more shifty. You can always work on everything. There’s some things I might not know right now.
When I look at your recruiting profile, I see 5-foot-11, 170. Is that where you are right now?
- I’d like to be 6-foot (about 170)
Do you want to get bigger? Is that something the strength and conditioning staff talk to you about, putting on some size by the time you get to campus?
- They say I can gain a little weight, but you know you want to keep that speed on you. So, I don’t need to gain too much.
Would you be allowed to be enroll early? Is your plan to be (at LSU) in spring or are you a summer enrollee?
- I would be a summer enrollee because I’m running track so I plan on winning a state championship at LSU and then coming back.
Are you going to run track in college? Is that something you want to do?
- Yes, I will be running track as well
We’ve been seeing your former teammate Kolaj Cobbing terrorize people. He’s been hard to block. What was it like seeing him play in high school?
- Me being next to him every day and him pushing us every day. He gave it to the team and (told us) “this has to be on your mind this year.” The year we won state in 2022, he was one of the main leaders. He was pushing us. Coming into that next season he was trying to push us even more to try to get our minds right. His work ethic is crazy. He works after practice. He works before practice. He’s a good person to follow if you’re going to follow somebody.
