Andru Phillips is Kentucky’s Most Important Defender

There is a difference in foretelling the “Most Important” and “Most Valuable” player on any given team or unit. A valid debate could be made that Deone Walker, JJ Weaver, Trevin Wallace, or Zion Childress could play their way into being Kentucky football’s most prized defensive asset in 2023. However, my theory is that cornerback Andru Phillips is the most essential defender going into fall camp.

The Wildcats critically need the cornerback to be a productive, effective, and steady starter this fall. Let’s get into it. 

Before focusing on Phillips’ 2023 significance, I must preface this article by saying that Andru’s dad Carlos is a friend and former teammate. He and I were also study hall mates. Both of us were serious about the books back then. I followed Andru’s progress in high school and witnessed his recruitment, which was directed by Dean Hood. I think the absolute world of the Legacy Wildcat and his family. But remember, it’s not personal, it’s personnel. Here’s some background information on the essential defender. 

Multi-Sport Star in High School 

Andru Phillips is a 6’0, 190-pound junior that hails from Mauldin, South Carolina. The former three-star product was ranked as the No. 8 overall prospect in the state. He was also selected to play in the historic Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas following his senior campaign. Phillips prepped at Mauldin High School where he was named 5A First-Team All-State by the South Carolina Football Coaches Association. 

Phillips was also a three-year track and field standout. He earned three varsity letters as a triple jumper and earned All-State honors in 2018, ’19, and ’20. The multi-sport standout won a state championship in the event and was listed as the nation’s top-ranked ranked triple jumper in 2020. It also must be noted that Phillips spent a portion of his childhood in Louisville. 

Kentucky Career to this Point 

As you can see, Phillips is an upper-echelon athlete. He picked Kentucky over Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Louisville, NC State, and Georgia. A redshirt season in 2020 led to those inside the program noticing the potential in the versatile athlete. He played in nine games in 2021, but 2022 was when Phillips began to flash twitchy, aggressive, and heady attributes on the game field.

He participated in all 13 games including four starts a year ago. The defensive back totaled 31 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and five pass breakups. Positional versatility is a strength. Phillips can align and play at a starter level at corner, safety, and nickel. 

Most Important 2023 Defender 

With proven and rising stars at other defensive levels, you may be asking just why I think that Phillips is the most important Wildcat defender. The answer is simple. Kentucky lost both starting corners from last year’s team. There is a perceived void at the position which has led to many doubting the Wildcats’ chances in 2023. This train of thought is especially prevalent among those outside the Kentucky media market. But, I tend to disagree. 

By all accounts, Phillips has locked down one of the two starting cornerback positions. His play during spring practice and the offseason has also garnered trust from the coaching and strength staff. The “other” CB spot is up for competition and has prompted skepticism surrounding the overall unit. Cincinnati transfer JQ Hardaway, Ohio State transfer Jantzen Dunn, Jordan Robinson, and others will be slugging it out to win the job come August. 

Simply stated, defensive coordinator Brad White and head coach Mark Stoops need Andru Phillips’ permanent move to corner to be a successful and fruitful transition. There can’t be questions about both corners and expect success. We’ve been down that road before in Lexington. The ‘Cats require Phillips to be an obvious and competent SEC-level defender that can effectively combat the plethora of offensive weapons that UK will face in 2023. 

Phillips certainly sports the required athletic traits, temperament, and competitive nature to man the position. The CB role is called upon to at times be on an island matched up against the opponent’s most dangerous threat. Cornerbacks require an innate level of self-assurance that is difficult to find and develop. I feel that Phillips has that attribute and is ready for the challenge. He certainly needs to be if Kentucky is to experience another strong push in the SEC East. 

What Does All This Mean? 

Kentucky doesn’t require Andru Phillips to be a star in order to field another top-five defense in the SEC. Stoops and White simply need Phillips to be a steady influence until the other cornerback situation is settled. Safety and nickel defenders on the two-deep are more than capable of masking CB inefficiencies this fall. Phillips must be a solution and not a part of the uncertainties that demand overwatch from the third level. Coverages can be efficiently rolled to one side, but not two. 

Can Andru Phillips live up to the expectation of being the defense’s most important player? We’ll see. Nothing is a certainty in college football. But, I’ve been bullish on Andru since the day he signed. He has a fiery on-field nature that Stoops covets and is considered a tough guy/physical defender. I have zero doubts about his run-stopping or tackling capabilities. Can he hold up against the pass? Again, we’ll see. UK desperately needs him to do so. 

Andru Phillips has played multiple roles for Brad White throughout the years. If you’ve read my articles in the past, you’d know that I place premium value on player and positional versatility and unselfishness. Phillips has both qualities. His ongoing development at corner could prove to be beneficial for all parties involved. It sure as heck needs to be.