[1] Twice an All-America pick at offensive guard, he was drafted after his senior year by the NFL's Chicago Bears, but Phillips opted to forgo professional football.
In 1986, Phillips was switched to offensive guard his sophomore year and was chosen all-conference and All-America at the new position, as well as academic All-Big Eight; the 1986 Sooners ended the season ranked #2.
In his 1987 junior campaign, Phillips returned a starter at offensive guard and was again selected football and academic all-conference; the 1987 Sooners went undefeated during the regular season, but lost the national championship to Miami in the 1988 Orange Bowl.
The 1988 Sooners team finished ranked #14, but Phillips was again selected All-Big Eight and consensus All-America, and for the fourth consecutive year, academic all-conference.
When I’m skiing in Colorado with my family or doing the Tulsa Run, I realize the benefits of making that decision.During his four seasons, Phillips had been named academic and athletic All-Big Eight each year of his playing career, one of only three OU football players to achieve that accomplishment.