KNOXVILLE — Kyle Phillips’ career likely has not gone the way he envisioned when he arrived at Tennessee a little over three years ago.
Phillips was a highly-touted five-star recruit when former head coach Butch Jones plucked him from Hillsboro High School in the mid-state, beating out over 20 other programs for the defensive end prospect.
Through three seasons, Phillips has battled injury and and a general lack of production. He has tallied 58 tackles in his career and three sacks as he struggled to find a permanent home either at tackle or end, and was stuck behind All-American’s like Derek Barnett early in his career.