Prospect Profile: Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky

Context

Plays the field as the outside CB for Kentucky but also played in the slot.

Coverage

When he’s in press man, he has an excellent plan and is patient when facing even the most athletic WRs, trusting his own athleticism and technique. He has good foot speed and excellent hip mobility that allows him to match angles with most Wide Receivers when working in soft-shoe press. When he jams, he uses the length he has, which is good for his overall size and good timing and accuracy to disrupt the route early. He has good play strength and it means he works well at the LOS. He can give up too much cushion in off or bail coverage and he has some issues reading the Quarterback and route progressions to quickly break on the football on underneath routes from Off or Bail. He has also played some catch-man and can end up flat-footed against savvier WRs who set up their breaks well. When in man coverage he can stay in phase with his athleticism but can give up separation at the top of routes due to his processing deficiency.

He is explosive, smooth and there is little wasted movement in his transitions, whether it be exploding vertically to cover routes that call for 180 degree break, or opening his hips to cover in-breaking 90 degree routes. He is however a little slow to react, usually on the drive step on 2 step routes, which means that offenses with good timing can find some joy against him. He will close the cushion he gives up quickly due to his explosion but it’s still separation nonetheless. He has excellent ball skills; when he’s in phase and running downfield, he can locate the ball and gets his hands on it. He has great timing and placement at the catch-point on shorter and intermediate routes. If a ball is completed on him, he can get overly aggressive in going for the big hit and can get beaten by a savvy YAC-getter who can turn him for extra yards. He will click and close on bubble screens to wide receivers and will move quickly to a ball completed in his vicinity but his open field tackling could see improvement. He comes under control well but when he sets up, he gives the ball carrier an angle that they can exploit. When he does get close enough to tackle, he goes low and hits hard but he’s inconsistent in wrapping up so those with good contact balance can brush him off.

Run Support

Ridiculously aggressive and competitive run defender. Will get under, around or through blocks and actually showcases excellent UOH to defeat blocks. Inserts himself against the run and plays with discipline as a force player. .

SUMMARY
Slot or outside CB with good athleticism, LOS skills and ball skills. Plays the run hard, with aggression and toughness. Must improve his processing to stay in phase and his open-field tackling

PRODUCTION 
JR: 50 To. Tackles, 6 PBUs
SO: 1 Sacks, 1 QB Hit, 23 To.Tackles, 4 PBUs
Injury: Missed 1 Game Junior Season

RAVENS FIT
Athleticism 4
Intelligence 2
Versatility 3
Grit 5
Scheme 3