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Four-star linebacker Jacob Phillips committed to Oklahoma on Wednesday, vaulting the Sooners upward in the recruiting rankings.

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In one fell swoop, the Sooners have taken control of the top spot in the 2017 college football recruiting rankings.

Bob Stoops’ program jumped up from No. 3 to No. 1 on Wednesday when 4-star recruit Jacob Phillips committed to Oklahoma on Wednesday, becoming its 22nd commit. His pledge added 213 recruiting points to Oklahoma’s total, bringing it to 3,854 points. The Nashville, Tennessee native is ranked as the No. 7 inside linebacker and No. 182 overall player.

Phillips told Scout.com that Alabama, Oregon and Texas A&M all made it a difficult decision, but the Sooners were clearly his top choice. Part of the reason why they were his No. 1 school is because of his relationship with Bob Stoops and the rest of the Oklahoma coaches.

“I have a very strong connection with the coaching staff at Oklahoma, and the relationship I have with those guys really makes them stand out a lot to me,” Phillips said. “It really feels like a family there for me.  I have a great connection with [linebackers] coach [Tim] Kish, and I like him a lot.  I am a believer in coach Kish. Oklahoma has had a lot of top linebackers, and it is a school I feel comfortable with.”

Aside from Oklahoma and the other aforementioned contenders, Phillips holds additional offers from Auburn, Cal, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Ole Miss, Notre Dam, Tennessee and others.

He took official visits to Alabama, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas A&M, with the trip to College Station being the final visit on Oct. 8.

At 6-foot-3, 223 lbs Phillips an extremely aggressive linebacker capable of laying the wood on ball carriers. He’s stingy against the run and swarms to the ball with a great motor.

Note: Scout rankings, ratings and photos used in this article.

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