Kenny Phillips

Full Name: Kenneth Phillips	College: University of Miami
Height/Weight: 6'2/202	Position: Free Safety
Birthdate: November 24, 1986
Birthplace: Miami, FL

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1 Biography
2 Scouting Report
3 Awards
4 Statistics
5 Transactions
6 Trivia
7 Video Gallery
8 Picture Gallery
9 See Also
10 Categories

[edit] Biography

Kenny Phillips played free safety for the University of Miami. He declared for the 2008 NFL Draft on December 7, 2007.

The nation's top safety prospect and USA Today's defensive player of the year out of high school, Phillips made the top of virtually every publication's hot list. He was rated the nation's No. 1 safety prospect and the No. 12 player regardless of position by Rivals.com.; the No. 1 safety and the No. 10 overall prospect by Scout.com; the No. 1 prospect in Dade County by the Miami Herald.; the No. 1 prospect in the state by the Orlando Sentinel; the No. 2 overall prospect in the country by the Tampa Tribune; and the No. 10 overall player by Prep Football Report. Phillips opted to stay local instead of going to Florida State, N.C. State, or the University of Tennessee, each of which hotly recruited him.

As a freshman, Phillips was named to nation-wide All-Freshman teams by TheSporting News, Rivals.com and CollegeFootballNews.com, as he started the final 11 games of the year, replacing Anthony Reddick. He was third on the Hurricanes in tackles,and added an interception to his resume.

In his first-ever collegiate start (versus Clemson), Phillips lead the team with 13 tackles and intercepted a pass in overtime, ending the game. For his efforts, Phillips was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week.

Phillips followed up his impressive freshman year with a solid sophomore campaign. He was selected to the third-team All-America team by Rivals.com and was named to the All-ACC team, even though he missed three games with a broken thumb. He finished fourth on the team in tackles and his four interceptions lead the 'Canes. Unfortunately, three were against a pathetic Duke University team.

Nevertheless, the Duke game was career-defining. He saw action on all 70 plays, making four solo tackles (one for a loss) and picking off three passes, playing both safety and cornerback. (It was his first playing time at CB, ever.)

As a junior, Phillips intercepted two passes, forced three fumbles, and registered 95 tackles. He was named All-ACC for the second consecutive year, and was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Trophy.

[edit] Scouting Report

Phillips is considered by many to be the best safety prospect in the 2008 NFL Draft class. He is a knowledgeable defender and a quick learner, as evident by his ability to start 11 games his freshmen season. Phillips is excellent in run support and as sure a tackler as any defensive back. He is a big hitter and a very physical safety. Phillips is not all brawn though. He has excellent speed and range in coverage and a nose for the ball. His coverage skills are good enough where, if necessary, Phillips could play cornerback. As some Miami coaches have said, Phillips has "the body of Sean Taylor and the knowledge and speed of Ed Reed". High praise. Look for Phillips to be the first defensive back taken in this years draft and for him to play strong safety in the NFL.