The lanky 6-foot-5 receiver plans to cash in big this season in simply realizing the apparent talent he’s been endowed with in pursuit of moving on to the next level. Should he do as much, it will provide the Cougar offense with a high-quality option opposite Chase Roberts which will open up the passing lanes for everyone involves, perhaps considerably.

“This is my money year. That’s how I’m looking at it,” said the redshirt sophomore receiver from Lancaster, California. “After this season I want to play one more in college and then go play in the NFL. So it’s definitely a season where I need to prove myself and be productive at everything at this level. Last year was a good start, but I need to improve and build on all of it this season, and establish myself.”

Last season saw Phillips as a fixture in BYU’s receiving two deep rotation, which allowed him playing time in all 13 games played. He responded with 10 receptions for 211 yards and two touchdowns while showing glimpses of his potential.

The plan this season is to turn those glimpses into a consistent focus within the Cougar offensive framework as a receiver at or near the top of the receiving rotation in lieu of taking secondary reps. Senior Chase Roberts is all but a lock to see primary reps at one of the wideout positions, but who plays opposite him on the other side is where Phillips hopes to establish himself, assuming the role vacated by Darrius Lassiter last season.

“Showing better physicality and be more consistent making plays after the catch is where I need to improve most,” Phillips said of where he’s hoping to make strides. “I feel like most of my catches is where I just get the ball and I’m done. I want to show that I can make plays after the catch, and also prove to be a better and more consistent blocker. Those are the two big things for me, along with just being better running my routes.”

What Phillips presents is a massive target with a very competitive vertical jump that can grab the ball over-the-top of coverage. He’s hard to miss when out there on the Zions Bank Practice Field running routes with the offense, and he hopes Cougar quarterbacks won’t be missing him much heading into the 2025 season.

“It’s all on me and I need to prove that I can get open when they need me to and that I can go and get (the ball) whenever it comes my way,” Phillips said. “I’ve learned a lot from watching Chase (Roberts.) He’s been great and I feel that continuing to learn from him will help me a lot in becoming the player I want to be for this team. I want to make every ball thrown my way my ball, no matter what.”

Competing with Phillips for primary reps include junior Parker Kingston, who hopes to expand on his role as BYU’s primary slot receiver this season, sophomore Cody Hagen, who hopes to realize his 4-star potential after having his initial season cut short due to injury, and junior Tiger Bachmeier, who has impressed since transferring over from Stanford, among others.

As far as BYU has been off the field, Phillips has no complaints.

“BYU fits me as a person,” he said. “I’m a laid back guy who isn’t really looking to do too much, so Provo is a great place for me. It’s a great place for my family, too, and they love it when they come and visit here. I love it here. I really do and Utah is just a great place to be. I have no complaints about anything here.”