Sore Hamstring Costs Idaho Star His Big Chance

Area college football briefs

Ryan Phillips was glad to be home in Auburn, Wash., for Christmas to unwrap a case of king-sized Snickers bars, one of the gifts from his mother.

However, on Christmas Day, he’d have preferred to butt helmets at the Blue-Gray game in Alabama.

Unfortunately for the University of Idaho senior defensive end/linebacker, he pulled a hamstring muscle four days before the game while practicing on a muddy field.

“There are about 200 scouts standing around, scribbling down in their notebooks, ‘This Phillips kid is hurt again,”’ he said.

Phillips was hoping to impress the scouts, as often is the case when small-school players get their chance in all-star games. Instead, he reinjured the balky left hamstring that shelved him for three games during the regular season.

Phillips believes he’ll also miss the East-West Shrine Classic on Jan. 11. He’s hoping to be ready for the NFL combine in early February.

Phillips said he talked to scouts in Alabama who indicated he’ll be drafted as a linebacker.

Cougs sign linebacker

Corey Scott, a 6-foot-4, 235-pound linebacker from Cerritos (Calif.) Community College, has signed a letter of intent with Washington State, the Cougars announced.

Scott will be eligible next season.

Earlier, WSU signed offensive lineman Joe Crisacione, a teammate of Scott’s, and Long Beach City College offensive lineman Lincoln Walden-Schulz.

, DataTimes