BIOGRAPHY
Darius Phillips was born on June 26, 1995, in Detroit, Michigan. He is a cornerback in the NFL.
At Robichaud High School, he was a two-sport athlete in football and basketball. Phillips was rated as a two-star recruit by rivals.com.
At Western Michigan University, as a freshman, Phillips appeared in 12 games making 32 receptions for 479 yards and a career-high ten passes for 121 yards and a touchdown against Toledo. He was the Sporting News Freshman All-American Kick Returner and the third team All-MAC Kick Returner.
In 2015, Phillips was converted to cornerback from wide receiver. Phillips was named 2015 Second-Team All-MAC as a cornerback and kick runner. He had interceptions in back to back weeks vs. Bowling Green and Northern Illinois. Recovered a fumble and had a pass breakup in the Popeye's Bahamas Bowl vs. Middle Tennessee. He was fifth in the country and second in the MAC in passes defended with 20 and earning the MAC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Phillip was named the MAC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2016. In the season, he returned three interceptions, one kick return and one punt return for touchdowns. He returned a 100-yard kick, and a 70-yard interception for touchdowns against Georgia Southern and a returned career-high 85 yards interception for a touchdown at Central Michigan. Phillips was the First-Team All-MAC Defense and Second-Team All-MAC Special Teams.
In his senior year, Phillips had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, an INT, and 188 all-purpose yards at #4 USC in the first week. In the second week, he had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, ran back a 67-yard fumble recovery for a TD, and had an INT at Michigan State. Phillips was named First Team All-MAC Defense, First Team All-MAC Kickoff Specialist, and Second Team All-MAC Punt Returner. A third straight season earning All-MAC recognition at cornerback was also a First Team selection in 2016 and named Second Team in 2015. He finished the season by being a two-time MAC Special Teams Player of the Year.
In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Phillips signed a four year, $2,677,553 contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, including a $217,553 signing bonus, $217,553 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $669,388. He played in 15 games and finished the season with 19 total tackles on defense, including two passes defenses and one forced fumble.
