Kyle Phillips Bio
Kyle Phillips (born May 5, 1997) is an American professional football defensive end for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football with the Tennessee Volunteers and has previously played in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Jets and the New Orleans Saints. Standing 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and listed at 277 lb (126 kg), Phillips has built his career as a rotational defensive lineman, working his way onto NFL rosters as an undrafted free agent before finding success in spring football.
Early Life and Background
Kyle Phillips was born on May 5, 1997, in Nashville, Tennessee, and grew up in the same city that would later host part of his professional journey. He attended Hillsboro High School, where he developed into one of the top defensive line prospects in the state. As a senior, he made 58 tackles, 22.5 of which went for a loss, and added 13 sacks, earning All-Midstate honors and a place on The Tennessean’s “Dandy Dozen.” His strong senior campaign established him as a four-star recruit and earned him an invitation to the 2015 All-American Bowl.
Phillips comes from a family with deep ties to collegiate athletics. His mother, Teresa Phillips, served as the athletic director of Tennessee State University from 2002 to 2019, making her one of the most prominent athletic administrators in the region. Growing up around college sports helped shape Phillips’ understanding of the game and reinforced his commitment to a career in football.
Path to American Football
After a decorated high school career, Phillips committed to play college football at the University of Tennessee, choosing the Volunteers over scholarship offers from LSU and Ole Miss. He made an immediate impression as a developmental defensive lineman, appearing in all 41 games across four seasons and steadily building his resume against top-tier Southeastern Conference competition.
Phillips served primarily as a reserve through his first two seasons before breaking out as a junior, recording 35 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and two passes defended. As a senior in 2018, he produced 56 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and five sacks. A memorable highlight came on October 20, 2018, against Alabama, when he returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown. He finished his collegiate career with 114 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and nine passes defended in 41 games played.
Kyle Phillips Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Phillips signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019, and impressed enough in training camp to make the 53-man roster. He made his NFL debut on September 16, 2019, against the Cleveland Browns, recording two tackles. In his rookie season, he appeared in 15 games with four starts and finished with 39 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a pass defended.
His second season was cut short by injury. Phillips suffered a season-ending ankle injury on October 25, 2020, in an 18–10 loss to the Buffalo Bills and was placed on injured reserve on October 28. He played in seven games with three starts that year, recording 11 tackles, three of which were for loss. In 2021, he began the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, was activated on November 17, and appeared in seven games with one start, recording one sack in Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints.
New Orleans Saints (2023)
Phillips signed with the New Orleans Saints on July 31, 2023, looking to revive his NFL career. He was waived on August 29, 2023, and quickly re-signed to the team’s practice squad, then elevated to the active roster on September 13, 2023. He appeared in five games during the 2023 season, contributing on the defensive line as a rotational piece. His stint with New Orleans marked his final NFL stop, after which he finished his NFL career with 68 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one pass deflection.
Birmingham Stallions and DC Defenders (2025)
On December 6, 2024, Phillips signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL), joining one of the most successful franchises in spring football. On March 20, 2025, he was claimed by the DC Defenders, where he continued his professional career. In 2025, Phillips was part of a UFL championship-winning team, adding a notable piece of team silverware to his resume.
Driving Style and Strengths
Phillips is a tall, long defensive end whose 6 ft 4 in frame gives him leverage advantages at the line of scrimmage. He developed into a reliable run defender and a pass-rush rotational piece, demonstrating the kind of versatility that helped him survive multiple NFL training camps as an undrafted player. His knack for tackles for loss has been a consistent feature of his stat line, both at Tennessee and in the professional ranks.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Phillips’ career came on October 20, 2018, when he returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown against Alabama, a marquee opponent in the SEC. He also made a successful transition from the NFL to spring football, winning a UFL championship in 2025 and remaining active at the professional level well beyond his rookie contract with the Jets.
Kyle Phillips Career Wins
While Phillips’ personal win totals are not separately tabulated across the NFL and UFL, his most significant team achievement came in 2025 when he won a UFL championship. He has consistently been a contributor on winning defenses at every level, and his career arc from undrafted free agent to professional champion underscores a sustained presence on winning rosters.
UFL Highlights
Phillips joined the UFL in 2025, splitting time between the Birmingham Stallions and the DC Defenders after being claimed on March 20, 2025. His first season in the UFL ended with a championship, capping a year that began with his December 2024 signing in Birmingham and continued with his move to Washington, D.C. The title stands as the headline achievement of his spring football career so far.
Other Performances
Beyond the UFL championship, Phillips is best known for his three seasons with the New York Jets (2019–2021) and a one-season stint with the New Orleans Saints in 2023. Across his NFL career, he accumulated 68 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one pass deflection while playing in 34 games with eight starts. He appeared in five games for the Saints in 2023.
Kyle Phillips Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Phillips’ family is rooted in Nashville, Tennessee, and carries a strong connection to collegiate athletics. His mother, Teresa Phillips, served as the athletic director of Tennessee State University from 2002 to 2019, a lengthy tenure that placed her among the most visible leaders in HBCU athletics. Her career in athletic administration provided a backdrop of sports professionalism that influenced Phillips’ own path in football.
Personal Life
Phillips grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and remains connected to the city that shaped his early football career. Public details about his marital status, spouse, and children are not widely documented, and he has kept his personal life largely out of the public eye. His close family ties, particularly with his mother Teresa Phillips, remain a notable part of his story.
2025 Season Performance
Phillips’ 2025 campaign began with his December 6, 2024 signing with the Birmingham Stallions, before he was claimed by the DC Defenders on March 20, 2025. The mid-spring transition from Birmingham to Washington, D.C., gave him a fresh opportunity to carve out a role on the Defenders’ defensive line. His UFL tenure culminated in a championship that year, the centerpiece result of his season.
Throughout the 2025 UFL season, Phillips contributed as a defensive end in a league that has become a proving ground for players seeking to extend their professional careers. The DC Defenders benefited from his size, run-defense fundamentals, and pass-rush experience, all of which he had refined during his three seasons with the New York Jets and his year with the New Orleans Saints.
Looking ahead, Phillips’ championship pedigree and positional versatility position him well for continued work in professional football, whether in the UFL or in pursuit of another NFL opportunity. His 2025 results underscore a player who has learned to adapt across leagues and rosters while remaining a steady contributor on the defensive line.