BRUINS GET 10TH DREAM TEAMER.

Byline: Jon Wilner and Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writers

UCLA landed its 23rd and perhaps most significant recruit of the season Friday when Sean Phillips, a defensive lineman from Sugar Land, Texas, agreed to sign a letter-of-intent Feb. 4.

Phillips is the 10th member of the 1997 PrepStar Dream Team to commit to UCLA. He's a first-team Parade All-American and is considered the best defensive lineman in Texas. He chose UCLA over Notre Dame and Texas.

Phillips joins three fellow recruits - San Dimas' Anthony Fletcher, San Diego's Ken Kocher and Rusty Williams - and current freshman Kenyon Coleman to form UCLA's defensive line of the future. He's 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, capable of playing end or tackle and reportedly has been timed at 4.7 in the 40-yard dash.

``He'll get to 290 pounds just by breathing,'' said Jim Creech, Phillips' coach at Dulles High School.

Running back Frank Strong said Friday that he has made an oral commitment to attend USC. Strong selected the Trojans over Nebraska.

Strong, 6-1, 205 pounds, rushed for 1,460 yards and 39 touchdowns at Franklin High School in Stockton. He also had four interceptions as a linebacker.

``Mainly, it was just the fact I wanted to stay close to home,'' Strong said.

He joins his high school teammate, linebacker Armand Holland, in attending USC. Although some schools recruited him as a linebacker, Strong said he will play tailback at USC.

USC is still waiting for the official announcement of Dominguez quarterback Jason Thomas, who is expected to hold a press conference next week. He is expected to sign a national letter of intent with the Trojans.