Oklahoma State University Athletics
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One Last Ride: Justin Phillips
August 15, 2018 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER -Â Oklahoma State senior Justin Phillips has been a stalwart of the Cowboys' linebacker unit since arriving in Stillwater before the 2014 season. Now firmly established as a leader of the defense, Phillips will be among the top overall performers on the team returning this year.
Phillips has seen action in 34 contests during his four years on campus. He has started at linebacker 15 times, including in all 13 of OSU's matchups last year.
The Pearland, Texas, native was Oklahoma State's third-leading tackler last year, as he racked up 64 total tackles, 42 of which were solo stops. Phillips also had pick-sixes in back-to-back games, with one going for 25 yards in OSU's win at South Alabama and another going for 10 yards in OSU's win at Pitt.
He tallied 9.5 tackles for loss as a junior to rack third on the team and lead all Cowboy linebackers. The ball-hawking defender also recorded at least one tackle in every game and at least five tackles in 10 games, including a season-high seven in OSU's overtime win at Texas.
Phillips' leadership role also continued to grow in 2017, as he served as one of the Cowboys' captains for the Baylor and West Virginia games.
His increased leadership role and production were the next step in Phillips' growth after a solid sophomore campaign in which he appeared in all 13 games and led all Cowboy underclassmen with 42 total tackles.
Phillips' sophomore season was highlighted by a dominant day in OSU's one-point win over Texas Tech. Against the Red Raiders, Phillips racked up a career-high 14 tackles, sacked Patrick Mahomes for a loss of nine yards and forced a fourth-quarter fumble that was recovered by teammate Vincent Taylor.
It was not his first double-digit tackle output, however, as Phillips put in a tremendous showing as a true freshman at the "star" linebacker position in OSU's 2014 Bedlam win over No. 18 Oklahoma in Norman. That day, Phillips recorded a season-high 10 tackles, seven of which were solo stops, to help the Cowboys knock off the Sooners and earn bowl eligibility.
Justin Phillips has filled his time at Oklahoma State with plenty of highlights so far, and has been rewarded for much of his success. In 2016, he was honored as the team's outstanding special teams player and in 2017 Phillips was the recipient of the Cowboys' Leslie O'Neal Award, which is given to the team's most outstanding defensive player.
The 2018 season will be Phillips' collegiate swan song, and as one of the Cowboys' leaders, he'll play a vital role in whatever success the team may find.
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Phillips has seen action in 34 contests during his four years on campus. He has started at linebacker 15 times, including in all 13 of OSU's matchups last year.
The Pearland, Texas, native was Oklahoma State's third-leading tackler last year, as he racked up 64 total tackles, 42 of which were solo stops. Phillips also had pick-sixes in back-to-back games, with one going for 25 yards in OSU's win at South Alabama and another going for 10 yards in OSU's win at Pitt.
He tallied 9.5 tackles for loss as a junior to rack third on the team and lead all Cowboy linebackers. The ball-hawking defender also recorded at least one tackle in every game and at least five tackles in 10 games, including a season-high seven in OSU's overtime win at Texas.
Phillips' leadership role also continued to grow in 2017, as he served as one of the Cowboys' captains for the Baylor and West Virginia games.
His increased leadership role and production were the next step in Phillips' growth after a solid sophomore campaign in which he appeared in all 13 games and led all Cowboy underclassmen with 42 total tackles.
Phillips' sophomore season was highlighted by a dominant day in OSU's one-point win over Texas Tech. Against the Red Raiders, Phillips racked up a career-high 14 tackles, sacked Patrick Mahomes for a loss of nine yards and forced a fourth-quarter fumble that was recovered by teammate Vincent Taylor.
It was not his first double-digit tackle output, however, as Phillips put in a tremendous showing as a true freshman at the "star" linebacker position in OSU's 2014 Bedlam win over No. 18 Oklahoma in Norman. That day, Phillips recorded a season-high 10 tackles, seven of which were solo stops, to help the Cowboys knock off the Sooners and earn bowl eligibility.
Justin Phillips has filled his time at Oklahoma State with plenty of highlights so far, and has been rewarded for much of his success. In 2016, he was honored as the team's outstanding special teams player and in 2017 Phillips was the recipient of the Cowboys' Leslie O'Neal Award, which is given to the team's most outstanding defensive player.
The 2018 season will be Phillips' collegiate swan song, and as one of the Cowboys' leaders, he'll play a vital role in whatever success the team may find.
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