Kenny Phillips

Infobox NFLactive
name=Kenny Phillips


width=150
caption=Kenny Phillips at the Giants 2008 Training Camp.
currentteam=New York Giants
currentnumber=21
currentpositionplain=Safety
birthdate=birth date and age|1986|11|24
birthplace=Miami, Florida
heightft=6
heightin=2
weight=210
debutyear=2008
debutteam=New York Giants
college=University of Miami
draftyear=2008
draftround=1
draftpick=31
pastteams=
* New York Giants (2008-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* "Sporting News" Freshman All-ACC (2005)
* "Sporting News" Freshman All-American (2005)
* First-team All-ACC (2006)
* First-team All-ACC (2007)
nfl=PHI403361

Kenneth Phillips (born November 24, 1986 in city-state|Miami|Florida) is an American football safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants 31st overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Miami.

Early years

Phillips attended Miami Carol City High School in Miami, Florida where he played safety. As a senior in 2004, played free safety and finished with 84 tackles, six interceptions, three fumble recoveries, four defensive touchdowns and three punt returns for touchdowns. Phillips intercepted 16 passes during his high school career. He also played in the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

In 2004, Phillips was the nation's top safety prospect and "USA Today" Defensive Player of the Year. Phillips was a "Parade" All-American and was selected to the PrepStar Top 100 Dream Team. He was rated the nation's No. 1 safety prospect by leading college recruiting magazines "Rivals" and "Scout" and the No. 12 and No. 10 overall prospect by "Rivals" and "Scout" respectively. He was considered the No. 1 prospect in Dade County by "The Miami Herald" and the No. 1 prospect in the state by the "Orlando Sentinel".

College career

Phillips ultimately chose to attend the University of Miami over Tennessee, Florida State and North Carolina State.

In his freshman and year, Phillips was named to the All-ACC Freshman Team after starting 11 games at free safety. He ranked third on the team with 93 tackles (58 solo), recovered two fumbles, broke up four passes and recorded one interception. Phillips interception came against the Clemson Tigers in triple overtime and sealed the win for the Hurricanes. [ [http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1144&CID=457231 Rivals.com College Football - Phillips seals Miami's first win ] ]

As a sophomore, Phillips was named to the All-ACC 1st Team and 2nd team All-American by Rivals.com. He started 10 games out of 10 at strong safety, missing only three games due to a torn ACL. He ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 71 total, broke up 6 passes, and recorded 4 interceptions. Phillips earned "ACC Defensive Back of the Week" honors for his play against Duke in which he tied a University of Miami record with three interceptions in one game. [ [http://theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102506aac.html Kenny Phillips Named ACC Defensive Back of the Week :: Kenny Phillips tied a school record with three interceptions against Duke this past weekend ] ]

Phillips was also named to the 2006 All-ACC Academic Football Team. [ [http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/021307aag.html 2006 All-ACC Academic Football Team Announced :: League recognizes 37 student-athletes including nine all-conference players ] ]

As a junior, Phillips was named to the All-ACC 1st Team for a second straight year, and 2nd team All-American for a second straight year. [ [http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112607aac.html Kenny Phillips Named All-ACC First Team :: Two Other Players Receive Honors ] ] He started 12 games out of 12 at safety. Phillips ranked second on the team with a career high, 95 tackles(69 solo), made 6.5 tackles for loss, forced three fumbles, broke up 5 passes and intercepted 2 passes.

Professional career

New York Giants

Phillips was drafted in the first round (31st overall) by the New York Giants in the 2008 NFL Draft. [ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2008/draft/players/44215.html SI.com - 2008 NFL Draft - Kenny Phillips ] ] [http://www.nypost.com/seven/05092008/sports/giants/jints_get_feeling_of_safety_with_rookie_110036.htm Jints Get Feeling Of Safety With Rookie - New York Post ] ] While many experts said there were no safeties in the draft worth a 1st-round pick except for Phillips, Phillips as expected was the only safety drafted in the 1st-round. His selection also continued the remarkable streak of safeties selected in the 1st-round coming out of Miami, the last being Brandon Meriweather who was selected 24th overall by the New England Patriots in 2007.

He is expected to compete for the vacant free safety position left by Gibril Wilson, who left for free agency to the Oakland Raiders in the 2008 offseason. Phillips stated his goals with the Giants in his first season are to "come in, learn and try to make a statement." Entering mini-camp, Phillips has chose to wear the number 21 as a tribute to the late Sean Taylor who also played football at the University of Miami and wore the number 21 when he played with the Washington Redskins. [ [http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2008/05/10/2008-05-10_giants_firstrounder_kenny_phillips_embra.html Giants' first-rounder Kenny Phillips embraces Sean Taylor's number, spirit ] ] On July 22, Phillips agreed to a five-year contract worth up to $11.15 million.

At the end of the 2008 preseason, Phillips was slated at the #2 spot on the depth chart at the free safety position behind Michael Johnson.

References

External links

* [http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/phillips_kenny00.html Miami Hurricanes bio]
* [http://www.giants.com/team/player392.html New York Giants bio]