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Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ventura High linebacker Tristan Phillips makes sure to maximize his talent
Seventh in a series of stories profiling top high school football players by position. Today, Tristan Phillips, Ventura linebacker. It's lunch time, and standout linebacker Tristan Phillips has arrived in his truck at a private training facility near Ventura High for a workout. When he starts his stretching exercises, you can't miss his bulging biceps or the intense focus on his face. 'He's obsessed with working to be the best possible version of himself,' coach Tim Garcia said. At 6 feet 3 1/2 and 215 pounds, Phillips' size alone makes him someone running backs and quarterbacks want to avoid. Add his work ethic to keep getting stronger, his instincts to figure out where the ball is going and his passion to finish plays, and you have a linebacker with all the qualities to be successful. 'I'm very obsessed with the process,' the 17-year-old said. Last season as a junior, Phillips recorded 80 tackles, including nine for losses. At first, the recruiting process was slow, then came a point when he was getting constant phone calls and texts. He's committed to Oregon and has offered a lesson to those just beginning to understand the changes taking place. He stressed it needs to be a 'balancing act.' 'At first, it was hard to navigate through and frustrating when I wasn't getting the attention I thought I deserved,' he said. 'When I got a couple offers, I felt it was amazing. I realized how stressful it gets coaches calling you and texting you. It can be a lot for a 17-year-old kid.' Phillips has been helped by the background of his father, Brett, who used to coach at Rio Mesa, Oxnard Pacifica and Channel Islands. His late grandfather was the principal and former coach at Rio Mesa. He has lived in Ventura all his life and has grown up with quarterback Derek Garcia. They'd carpooled since youth days, Phillips asking questions of Garcia's dad hoping to prepare to play high school football. 'He's always had support of his parents with understanding what athletics does for younger generation and to be productive on a daily basis,' Tim Garcia said. 'Watching his growth as not just as an athlete but a human being is special. Tristan was always asking the right questions. 'What's going on with Ventura? What about this player? What do you think of this?'' From an early age, he had his mind set what he wanted to do.' So what makes people excited about Phillips as a linebacker? 'His ability to make plays directly at him and away from him are spectacular to watch,' Garcia said. Said Phillips: 'Whether blocking or hitting on defense, I want to make sure I'm putting you in the ground and you're feeling it.' Much of Phillips' preparation comes from his belief that magical things can happen in the weight room. During the spring, he was lifting in the morning, then in the afternoon, but also recognizing he needs time to recover and not to overdo it. 'On a football team, it all starts in the weight room,' he said. 'You have to be sturdy, strong, fast, move side to side, keep yourself healthy. There's a lot of things you can do in the weight room to prevent injury and improve.' Phillips' competitiveness comes through in workouts and executing little things, such as stretching. It's all part of the process he embraces trying to get better every day. 'I'll admit I'm a sore loser,' he said. 'I put so much time into it. I know you're not going to win every battle but just making the most of every opportunity really matters.' Tuesday: Palos Verdes defensive back Jalen Flowers. Linebackers to watch Taven Epps, Tustin, 6-4, 225, Jr: Lots of talent and potential Dash Fifita, Santa Margarita, 5-9, 190, Sr.: Arizona commit is All-Trinity League selection Taylor Johnson, Cajon, 6-1, 200, Sr.: USC commit averaged 14 tackles last season Isaiah Leilua, Servite, 6-0, 220, Jr.: Toughness and aggressiveness come through Jonathan McKinley, Corona Centennial, 6-2, 225, Sr.: Cal commit makes plays Samu Moala, Leuzinger, 6-4, 225, Sr.: Texas A&M commit will be used all over field Matthew Muasau, St. John Bosco, 6-1, 225, Sr.: UCLA commit Isaiah Phelps, Oxnard Pacifica, 6-1, 200, Jr.: Has quickness, instincts Tristan Phillips, Ventura, 6-3, 215, Sr.: Oregon commit is tackling machine Shaun Scott, Mater Dei, 6-3, 240, Sr.: USC commit is counted on to be disruptor this season Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CBS News
18 minutes ago
- CBS News
Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb returns to full training camp, excited for 2025 season
Around this time last year, Cowboys star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was holding out for a new contract extension and was not in attendance for the 2024 training camp. On Wednesday, his elation to be in Oxnard was evident by his wide, distinguishable smile. "I don't think anyone is more excited than me…[except] maybe Sam Williams," Lamb said. "I love every part of being here with the guys grinding. Even when I'm tired, I think about last year when I wasn't here. Just doing the things that I love with my team, being better on my craft, and having this helmet on and being able to work with Dak. Those are the type of things that I've missed." Lamb will have his first full camp since the 2023 season. Though productive, he felt that his 2024 season was somewhat unusual. The 4x pro-bowler finished last year with 101 receptions, totaling 1,194 yards and six touchdowns. Mind you, that was despite missing the final two regular-season games and being without Dak Prescott for the back half of the year. Lamb acknowledged that his absence from training camp contributed to a slow start, but is excited about what he and a healthy Prescott can do with a full offseason together. "I think I was a little oblivious to the truth," Lamb said. "Honestly, I think it was during the San Fran game. I want to say the first half, that was when I was like, 'Wow everything that I was doing was really just for me.' It's not ever just for me. I feel like the league knows what happens when I'm healthy and I have Dak for a whole season, but if you don't, I will happily show you what it's going to be like. I can't wait to show you guys" One big difference in the receiver room is the addition of George Pickens. The dynamic, playmaking duo has seemed inseparable since the Cowboys traded for Pickens back in May. Much was said about Picken's attitude, but Lamb quickly shot that down after getting to know him off the field. "Honestly, it's just the type of receiver that we both are and we see in each other," Lamb said. "I want him to get everything that he's deserved in his career. Obviously, there's a narrative wrapped around him, which I haven't seen yet. He's not as crazy as he seems to be. If you talk to this man and have a decent conversation with him, I guarantee you'll understand that this man has a kind heart." "Oh yeah, for sure," Pickens responded when asked if he and Lamb can be the best receiving pair in the NFL. "Just different type of styles of play. A lot of people over the years got different styles of play, but CeeDee's a certain type of guy, then I'm a certain type of guy. So, when you mesh that together, it's like Mario Bros. We definitely can do something special." As for the receiving core as a whole, Lamb was asked by CBS Sports Texas' Bill Jones how he thinks he and the rest of the league compare. Much like how he praises himself, he had a brief yet confident answer. "I like us versus anybody, honestly," Lamb said. "Anyone, any room…I don't care what they be saying in the media. I see it, and I ignore it. We'll see in September. I don't really do much talking."
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
New Glentoran striker Pat Hoban slams Tiernan Lynch saying he will 'never forgive him'
Glentoran new boy Pat Hoban has taken a swipe at Tiernan Lynch over how the last few months of his Derry City career panned out. In an explosive interview with the Derry Journal, Hoban, who made the switch to The Oval earlier this month, said he will "never forgive" the former Larne boss for "wasting six months" of his career. Hoban was initially signed at the Brandywell by former boss Ruaidhri Higgins, but following his departure at the end of last season the prolific League of Ireland striker found his opportunities limited and he felt he was being "frozen out". READ MORE: Taking Open Championship outside UK 'stupidest idea ever' claims American golf star READ MORE: Christine Lampard says 'oh my gosh' as she breaks down in tears live on Lorraine The 33-year-old claimed he was blocked from making a move to another "top League of Ireland club", but after only two starts this season Hoban was given the green light to leave the club and join the Glens as he looks to get his career back on track. "Of course I was frustrated," Hoban explained. "Even when I was on the bench I knew I wasn't coming on. "It doesn't affect me and my personality or my character. In terms of my career at Derry it does. It ended because of that. "I didn't get a run of games and couldn't show anything to the Derry fans this year at all. He just wasted six months of my career and, to be honest, it's something I'll never forgive either. "It happened to me before at Mansfield when Steve Evans got the job. The January window came and he brought in who he wanted and I was left in the stand until May. I always said to myself I'll never let that happen to me again but it just happened with Derry." Hoban was linked with a move away from Derry ahead of the start of the new season with Glentoran's 'Big Two' rivals Linfield one of the clubs reportedly interested in signing him. He said: "I was hearing stuff about clubs being in for me like Linfield and you're wondering, 'why are they in for me?' So I think they were trying to offload me at that stage. I firmly believe that but of course the club could say something different. "He (Lynch) then changed his tune and said 'you're not going anywhere. You will score 20 league goals for me' and that kind of stuff. He said I was part of it and we're trying to make Derry great again. To be honest I didn't believe it and I was right in the end." Hoban is now relishing his new opportunity with Declan Devine at the Glens insisting he cannot wait to get started. "I need to play football. I've probably got a couple of years left in my career and it was just getting wasted to be honest," he said. "There was other interest from the League of Ireland but I didn't want to go down and fight a relegation battle with Cork. I'd never sign for Drogheda because that would be the one loyalty I would definitely always have for Dundalk. "Waterford were interested but I didn't want to go there. Obviously the big one for me was Galway but that fell through for a certain reason. It's disappointing but things happen for a reason and Glentoran came in and said they wanted me and did everything they possibly could to get me. And that's what players want. They just want to feel wanted. "I know Decky and when I met him and Paddy, they couldn't stress how much they wanted me. I was like, 'come on, let's do it.' "It's a good squad. They'll be competitive when it comes to Linfield, Coleraine, Larne. I'm just excited to experience a different league and play through the winter. I'm just looking forward to playing again."
