Media Memo from Plant Head Football Coach, Robert Weiner – Hello everyone. I would like you to know that former Plant quarterback Phillip Ely will transfer from the University of Alabama to the University of Toledo. Phillip just completed his redshirt freshman year and is 6’1″ 215 pounds and has had an amazing football run in the last five years.

As a sophomore at Plant he took over for an injured Aaron Murray and helped lead Plant to a state championship in 2008. In 2009 as a junior, he engineered a second consecutive state championship with a win over Manatee in the finals. And in 2010 he directed the Panthers back to the state finals, losing to the national champions St Thomas Aquinas Raiders.

After going to Alabama as an early enrollee, Phillip was the back up quarterback on a team that won back to back national championships. He personifies the word winner. He has left Alabama on good terms with his coaches and teammates and university, and would like to say thank you to all of them for a great experience. He would just like to pursue other educational and football opportunities at this time.

Phillip is incredibly excited to join Head Coach Matt Campbell and offensive coordinator Coach Jason Candle as a Toledo Rocket. As per NCAA regulations, Phillip will have to sit out the games of the 2013 season this fall, but will have two years to play after that. He will enroll in the school and join the team immediately.