Mason Plummer / Lead Writer / Ball State Sports Link
After going down in Ball State history as one of the best defensive backs the program has ever seen, Antonio Phillips decided shortly after the 2020-21 football season that he would enter his name into the NFL Draft.
The rangy cornerback shone brightly for Ball State in his time in red and white, becoming a true lockdown corner and a nightmare for the opposition on a weekly basis.
Phillips’ best moment as a Cardinal ironically came in his last game for Ball State, in the Arizona Bowl. Phillips jumped on an out-route and took a misplaced San Jose State pass back to the house for a touchdown for Ball State’s first score of the game.
The Cardinals never looked back after that, blowing out San Jose State 34-13 en route to Ball State’s first ever bowl win in program history.
Measurables:
Height: 6-0
Weight: 191 lbs
Career Stats:
39 games played, 137 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, eight interceptions, 26 passes defended and one forced fumble.
Quick Summary:
The best part of Phillips’ game is his coverage ability. Phillips has the ability to cover NFL receivers at a high-level and at times, shut them down. He faced a handful of star MAC receivers in 2020 and held his own very well. Phillips also has a knack for finding the ball and forcing turnovers, something that will surely be noticed by NFL scouts and executives.
Projection:
It seems likely that Phillips will be the first Cardinal off the board in the 2021 NFL Draft. Corners come a dime-a-dozen in the NFL and with traits like Phillips, it is almost a sure thing that one of the 32 teams will take a chance on the former Ball State defensive back.
Phillips does not project to be a top-round talent, but it is feasible to see him being taken on the second or third day of the draft, in the 5-6 round range.
