Torian Phillips is headed home – for good.
The former Port Richmond football star has transferred from Syracuse to Staten Island’s Wagner College of the Northeast Conference for family reasons.
Phillips, who led Port Richmond to the city title in 2008 running for 1.486 yards and 34 touchdowns, had a solid freshman year at Syracuse, receiving playing time in six games at defensive back, wide receiver and running back, but wanted to be closer to home to help take care of his ailing grandmother, Rowena. His stepfather, Jesse Barnes, also was recently hospitalized after a fainting bout, but is doing better since the episode.
“It was a real tough decision,” he told The Post. “I got some playing time as a true freshman at Syracuse, I would get more playing time as a sophomore. I was learning the ropes, making friends, the coaching staff was just great.”
Wagner was one of the programs that had recruited the 5-foot-10, 167-pound Phillips before he committed to Syracuse his senior year, and since it is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-AA), Phillips won’t have to sit out a year. He is expected to play defensive back for the Seawolves.
“It’s not really disappointing, only for the fact I’m doing it for my family,” he said. “I’m happy with the decision.”
