J.B. Phillips Season 2007

Honors & Awards

• Three-Time CoSIDA Academic All-District VII (2005, 2006, 2007)
• Four-Time First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
• Five-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
• Four-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
• Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2007)
• Nebraska’s Most Improved Offensive Player (Spring, 2005)

2007 (Senior)
Tight end J.B. Phillips was a key contributor for Nebraska each of the past four seasons. Phillips made 34 appearances in the starting lineup during his Husker career, while participating in all 49 games since 2005.

A four-year letterman, Phillips first made his name as a blocking tight end, but also developed into a receiving threat. He finished his career with 30 pass receptions, including three career touchdown catches. During his senior season, Phillips was one of the veteran leaders on the Husker offense, and played in all 12 games with 10 starts. He logged his third career touchdown with a 13-yard reception against Oklahoma State.

In addition to his on-field success, Phillips flourished in the classroom. He was an academic All-Big 12 selection four straight years and was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District VII team for the third time in 2007. Phillips picked up his undergraduate degree in marketing in December of 2006, finishing in just 3 1/2 years, before competing as a graduate student in 2007. He is on pace to complete his master’s degree by May of 2008.

In addition to his academic accolades, Phillips was a leader in the community as one of 10 Huskers named to the 2007 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team.

2006 (Junior)
Phillips played in all 14 games with 12 starts and recorded 13 catches for 82 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Phillips’ 13 receptions topped the tight end group and he produced five games with two or more catches, while nabbing touchdowns against Louisiana Tech and Troy. Phillips registered multiple receptions in three of four games to start the season, including a season-high three-catch effort against Nicholls State.

The increased threat from the tight end spot helped the NU offense become one of the nation’s most balanced units. The Huskers finished in the top 25 nationally in all four major statistical categories, including 14th in total offense. The tight ends helped provide blocking for a much-improved running attack that averaged better than 170 yards per game.

2005 (Sophomore)
Phillips was named Nebraska’s Most Improved Offensive Player during spring practice, and went on to finish sixth on the team with 15 receptions. He had at least one catch in nine of 12 games, made eight receptions in the season’s final four games and had five multi-catch contests. Phillips’ career-high three catches covered 21 yards in the 30-3 win over Colorado. He had two catches for a career-high 28 yards in the Huskers’ win over Kansas State, including a career-long 22-yard grab. Phillips also had two receptions each against Maine, Pittsburgh and Kansas.

2004 (Redshirt Freshman)
Phillips played in all 11 games as a reserve tight end behind junior Matt Herian and senior Dusty Keiser. He had his first career start against Colorado and was a key lead blocker in NU's rushing attack. He did not have a reception, but saw his role increase following a late-season injury to Herian.

2003 (Redshirt)
Phillips suited up for several games, but redshirted.

Before Nebraska (Heritage HS)
Phillips caught 20 passes in 2002 for Colleyville Heritage High School, which featured a run-based offense. He was also a dominant blocker, helping his team to a 9-2 record and a state playoff appearance in the Texas 5-A ranks. Phillips also started at defensive end and recorded eight sacks. Phillips earned second-team 5-A all-state honors from the Texas Sportswriters Association as a tight end, and was a first-team all-district pick on both sides of the ball.

As a junior, Phillips played offensive guard and defensive end and earned all-district honors for his play on offense, helping his team to a 10-2 record and a state playoff trip.

Phillips lettered in track as a junior and senior and also earned a letter in power-lifting. He was a member of the school’s National Honor Society, was active in the FCA and completed high school with better than a 4.0 cumulative grade-point average. He chose Nebraska over Big 12 schools Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.

Personal
Phillips’ full name is James Brian Phillips II. The son of Jim and Kyle Phillips, J.B. was born on May 23, 1985. Phillips was named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll nine times and was a four-time first-team academic All-Big 12 pick. He earned his bachelor's degree in 3 1/2 years in December of 2006 and is on track to receive his master's degree in May of 2008. He has volunteered his time as a speaker for American Education Week, School is Cool Week and in the Dads of Kids with Disabilities program. He has also been a regular participant in the Huskers’ hospital visits.

Phillips' Career Statistics

Year

G/S

No.

Yds.

Y/R

Y/G

Long

TDs

2003

Redshirted

 

 

 

2004

11/1

0

0

0.0

0.0

None

0

2005

12/11

15

108

7.2

9.0

22 vs. Kansas State

0

2006

14/12

13

82

6.3

6.3

10, Twice

2

2007

12/10

2

19

9.5

1.6

13 vs. Oklahoma St.

1

Totals

49/34

30

209

6.9

4.3

22 vs. Kansas State

3

Single-Game Highs
Receptions?3 vs. Colorado, 2005, vs. Nicholls State, 2006
Receiving Yards?28 vs. Kansas State, 2005
Long Reception?22 yards vs. Kansas State, 2005