As a sophomore last fall, Phillips laid the ground work for what could be an breakout 2026 campaign. He hauled in eight passes for 60 yards and six of his 6.5 tackles were of the solo variety. He recovered a fumble and averaged 16.0 yards on five kick returns. Those statistics point to a broad base of skills, which will keep the door open to contributing wherever the team needs him. That thought is backed up when watching his 10th-grade highlight video. Phillips flashes upside on both sides of the ball. He can beat defenders lining up in the slot or out wide thanks to crisp routes and reliable hands. He plays the game physically, which helps in breaking tackles or making tackles. Phillips looks comfortable operating at safety.