2025 DB Kade Phillips commits to Texas
Texas battled SEC foes new and old on the recruiting trail for one of the top defensive backs in the Houston area and emerged victorious. 2025 Missouri City (Texas) Fort Bend Hightower defensive back Kade Phillips committed to Texas, choosing the Longhorns over LSU and Texas A&M.
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During the official visit process, Phillips took official visits to Baylor, LSU, Texas A&M, and Texas. The trip to Austin was saved for last and proved to be the one that solidified his spot in Texas’ 2025 class.
Phillips has impressive track numbers. He posted a personal record of 21.50 in the 200m and a best of 24-7.5 in the long jump during the 2024 season.
Phillips joins Caleb Chester as defensive back commits in Texas’ 2025 class.
Excerpt from the Recruiting Notebook
How he fits at Texas:
Kade Phillips has the toolbox to become a really good safety in time. He’s playing cornerback and safety and shows his best attributes when playing off the ball and reacting to what’s in front of him, either in off-man coverage outside or at safety. He has closing speed when he’s attacking the ball and the willingness to pop ball-carriers which should improve significantly when his frame fills out from its current 6-foot-2, 170 pounds. Phillips is quick enough to play some man coverage but he’d probably fit best in the boundary in quarters or in the middle of the field in single-high coverage covering the seams or post and not trying to match a slot in space. — Ian Boyd
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Coach Says:
Strengths — A track sprinter with adequate height and room to add bulk. Most highlights are at safety with both single-high and two-high looks. Shows good acceleration once he diagnoses the play. Looks fairly instinctive for the safety position. Some good highlights showing an understanding of trips coverage. Comes downhill and fits the run willingly. Top-end speed is above average. Range appears adequate from the single-high position.
Areas for improvement — Will get tentative at times and will have to catch the ball carrier and go for a ride. Ball skills are a bit unknown as most of highlights are against run and screen game. Gets flat-footed at times and will deliver glancing blows with the shoulder rather than squaring up and taking on the ball carrier. A lot of diving for ankles on the highlights. Unclear if he has good enough agility/hips to play corner.
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Phillips is ranked as the No. 191 overall prospect, the No. 16 safety, and the No. 31 player in Texas according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. On3 ranks Phillips as the No. 105 overall prospect, the No. 12 safety, and the No. 21 player in Texas.
