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Tennessee football: Former Vols DL Kyle Phillips signs with New York Jets

By Caleb Calhoun

AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 13: Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer celebrates with defensive lineman Kyle Phillips #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers after defeating the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 13: Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer celebrates with defensive lineman Kyle Phillips #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers after defeating the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee football’s most notable player in the 2019 NFL Draft wasn’t taken. But the New York Jets signed former Volunteers defensive end Kyle Phillips.

If Tennessee football was going to have a player selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, it was going to be Kyle Phillips. However, he wasn’t taken, and that meant the third time in five years the Vols would not have a player drafted.

That doesn’t mean Phillips didn’t ink a deal pretty soon afterward, though. And he did just that, landing a deal with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent. The defensive end made an announcement on Twitter, and it was subsequently confirmed by reporters.

Once a five-star defensive end, Phillips suffered similar fates to Shy Tuttle with back to back season-ending injuries in 2015 and 2016. By 2018, though, he was able to thrive as the signature defensive end in Jeremy Pruitt’s 3-4 scheme alongside defensive tackles Tuttle and Alexis Johnson.

The result was a breakout year for Phillips, as he recorded 55 tackles, seven and a half tackles for a loss, four sacks, four pass deflections, a forced fumble and fumble recovery, and even a pick-six. Simply put, he produced in every way possible as a superstar on the outside.

It was clear that he had earned the right to be drafted, but he was held back by the struggles of Tennessee football. Still, the Jets were always looking at him, as he was one of their top choices for a late round draft choice. So it’s perfect for him that he was able to land with them.

Phillips is one of many players who was held back by Butch Jones and his lack of conditioning and development of players. Maybe in New York, now, he’ll finally have the chance to do that and develop. And with the Jets already liking him, he’s got a great chance to show what he can do.

Next. Vols 2019 NFL Draft primer. dark

It was alongside Kahlil McKenzie in 2015 that Phillips was initially expected to be a major superstar. McKenzie obviously left early after 2017 and wasn’t drafted. Phillips has now followed suit, but he’s not changing positions. He figures to be a big deal with the Jets, and he could definitely end up being a steal.

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