Vitals: 6-2, 230, LB
Hometown: Highland Park, Mich.
High School: Cass Tech
Looking back at 2017: Phillips' debut season at Illinois saw him turn out as the team's leading tackler. The junior college transfer linebacker from Garden City (Kan.) Community College appeared in 11 games and made 10 starts for the Illini — missing one game with an injury. He totaled 85 tackles and also put up four tackles for loss, two pass breakups and one quarterback hurry. Phillips ranked eighth in the Big Ten with 7.7 tackles per game, and he led the Illini with 64 tackles on rushing plays.