Missouri State

One of the team’s success stories last season, Phillips will compete for regular playing time again as a sophomore in the MSU defensive secondary ... Tallied 3 tackles in the Maroon and White Spring Game (4/11/15).

2014: Late roster addition in the fall emerged to start 11 games at left cornerback after Matt Rush went down in the season opener ... Named to MVFC All-Newcomer Team ... Tallied 50 tackles which ranked 7th on the squad, while his three interceptions ranked tops on the team, 5th in the league and 102nd nationally ... Posted season-high 9 tackles vs. Southern Illinois (11/8/14) with a pair of solos ... Registered 4 solo tackles in the season opener at Northwestern State (8/28/14) with his first interception ... Brought down 5 North Dakota ball carriers in home opener (9/13/14) ... Had an interception in win at UCA (9/20/14) ... Posted 6 tackles at Indiana State (11/1/14) along with a pick ... Collected 24 tackles over the last 4 games of the season, including 5 against No. 1 North Dakota State (11/15/14).

High School: Was a three-year starter for former MSU football standout Matt Irvin at Kirkwood (Mo.) High School ... Had a team-best 11 touchdowns in 2013 while leading the Pioneers with 731 all-purpose yards ... Brought down 19 ball carriers as a senior with 3 interceptions as part of a 9-2 conference championship season ... Earned first-team all-state and first-team all-conference at defensive back in 2013 while snagging second-team all-conference honors at running back and third team as a returner ... Pioneers were 13-0 his junior season with Phillips returning an interception for a touchdown in the championship game ... He also earned all-conference honors at DB his junior year and helped Kirkwood win three straight conference titles ... Was also a long jumper and sprinter on the track team

Personal: Eric Lee Phillips was born 8/4/95 in St. Louis, Mo. ... Son of Eric Phillips and Tomeka Clark of Kirkwood, Mo. ... Has a brother, Purnell, and four sisters, Erica, Emonie, Laphonjanae and Lanija ... Undecided on academic major.