 Phillips grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and attended Hillsboro High School.As a senior, he made 58 tackles (22.5 for loss) with 13 sacks and was named All-Midstate as well as one of "The Tennessean's" "Dandy Dozen".Phillips was rated a four star recruit and played in the 2015 All-American Bowl, where he committed to play college football at Tennessee over offers from LSU and Ole Miss.