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With 45 days left until the Virginia Tech Hokies square off against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, we turn our attention to #45 on the roster Mr. Joey Phillips. If you read yesterday’s countdown article on Griffin Hite, I mentioned Phillips name a lot in the article. Phillips started five games last season at fullback and played in all 14 on special teams. He’s a solid and trustworthy player that should provide the Hokies with both a passing and running option at fullback this fall.
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The Scoop
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 233 lbs
Position: Fullback
Year: R-Senior
High School: Blacksburg High School
How Did He Get Here?
Phillips was the starting running back and linebacker at Blacksburg High School during his junior and senior seasons. He was particularly good against my alma mater (Northside High School) for some reason. Even with two good seasons and an 2nd team all-district honor as a senior, Phillips was lightly recruited and eventually accepted a walk-on opportunity with his home town team.
2011 Season Rewind
Phillips started his first game against ECU this past year and played well. He’s not a flashy player. He’s not Owen Schmitt, who dominated opposing teams at West Virginia a few years ago. He’s a weight room warrior though and he’s primed for a good season here in 2012.
2012 Prediction
There’s a good reason to feel good about our fullback depth this fall. First, Phillips played in all 14 games last season and picked up over 220 snaps total. Secondly, Coach Shane Beamer can always transfer Martin Scales back over to fullback if needed. Those two guys should give the Hokies a nice power attack down near the goalline if Michael Holmes and JC Coleman prove ineffective inside the five yard line.
What I like most about the Blacksburg native is his effort. In all likelihood this will be Phillips last season donning the shoulder pads and helmet. He’s not big enough to go to the NFL and be a fullback nor would you really want that job. Still, Phillips works hard week in and week out and it shows in the weight room. He’s a good runner so hopefully, Phillips can score his first career touchdown in a game this fall.
Completely Made Up Fact
With the middle name “McGovern” how can we not call Joey “The McGovernator” this fall. Too easy.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Give JP the rock!
Any reason why we havn’t offered the tetlow kid.He has a decent offer list and seems like the typical VA O-Lineman that we usually offer every year. I do have 100 percent trust in the coaching staff with these type of things but you have to admit that it would be sweet to grab a 4th o-lineman in this class
Clemson landed their 2 Running Back recruit for 2013 tonight, I hope this helps us with Derrick Green. I think he chooses between Tech and Ohio St now that clemson has taken so many backs.