As a defensive tackle at Arkansas, Phillips was selected first-team All-American in both the 1965 and 1966 seasons after starting as a sophomore on the Razorbacks' 1964 national championship team.
Phillips, a defensive tackle for the Arkansas Razorbacks, was named first-team All-American in both 1965 and 1966 seasons. He started as a sophomore on the 1964 national championship squad.