Gameday Maryland Profile: Paul Phillips
By: Adam Chasen
NORTH BETHESDA, MD - Star athletes often find success at the high school level due to natural ability; others put in tireless work to reach their potential, and the really special ones combine both qualities. Georgetown Prep Senior, Paul Phillips, epitomizes the football player that every coach looks for.
Blessed with the DNA to build off of, Paul has watched two older brothers work their way into college football stardom at Stanford University and University of Virginia respectively. With both brothers, Andrew the oldest (OL Stanford,) and Colter the middle brother (tight end UVA,) still competing at the collegiate level, Paul will have the chance to make his mark starting next year playing tight end at Indiana University for Coach Bill Lynch.
But Paul is not the type of athlete to rely on his genes to carry him in high school, nor will he at the collegiate level.
When asked to pinpoint what makes his first team All-Met tight end so special on the gridiron, Georgetown Prep Head Football Coach and Athletic Director, Dan Paro had no hesitations.
Being "humble is one of his greatest strengths, appreciative, he really understands hard work, I mean he really does. His effort is tireless, in all facets of his life. That work ethic and mentality....that will make him successful in anything he does in his life."
Coach Paro knows of what he speaks. Not only has he coached many standouts in his time at the Bethesda Prep school, including current San Diego Charger running back Marcus Mason, but he also coached both Andrew and Colter Phillips. Paro believes Paul is truly among the special ones and having watched him play many times over his three year varsity career at Georgetown Prep it is easy to see why.
Paul, now known in high school circles as a dangerous two way tight end for his exceptional hands and devastating blocking ability, was not always as versatile a threat. With talented tight ends in front of him on the depth chart as an underclassman, he played mostly along the offensive line.
"I was on the O-line until Sophmore year, blocking was always first option for me," Phillips explained. "I grew a lot, more recently, catching and running routes."Phillips began his football playing days formally playing at The Mater Dei School in 5th grade, but attended camps as early as 2nd to begin learning his craft. When asked about those that helped shape Paul into the player he is today, the young man couldn't stop citing his many influences. In fact, the most animated Paul often gets is when crediting others.
Some of those credited include: Head Prep Football Coach Dan Paro, Coach Kevin Giblin, (current Georgetown Prep Lacrosse Head Coach,) Rendell Williams, (former wide receiver and defensive back at St. John's University,) Larry Kennan, (quarterback coaching guru,) Prep Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Blake Kaplan, and even close friends and classmates, fellow All-Met (basketball) Markel Starks, and quarterback Jack Schryber.
Of course, the first names mentioned as mentors by Phillips were his family members, Colter especially, who is the closest in age of his two brothers and plays the same position."Colter helps me a lot when he comes home, but of course he can't get home that much anymore."
The June 15th report date for summer sessions at Indiana University is rapidly approaching and Phillips along with many athletes at Prep have taken to working with Strength Coach Kaplan for his notorious 6:30am workouts before school starts.
"I've been working out with Blake at 6:30am three days a week, getting used to college type workouts. The IU players have told me they have to do it, so I am trying to prepare. Blake has had a big influence on me."
This kind of moxie and dedication is a big part of why many, including myself, believe he will become an elite player in the Big Ten. Phillips had many choices of schools, but to him Indiana seemed to be the right fit.
"It came down to Rice, Indiana, and Syracuse. I took official visits to Syracuse and IU. I liked Head Coach Bill Lynch a lot. It's and up and coming program. My parents are from the Midwest, the people are nice, and it is very different from the east coast."
While Paul was quick to point out that Indiana University sports a brand new weight room, now the largest in college football, he was just as quick to make note that the Kelley Business School at IU was a major influence as well.
From a football perspective, Paul Phillips has the versatility to play in a traditional tight end alignment along the line, but also could very well be used in the slot, or as an H-back (a position made famous by Hall of Fame Head Coach Joe Gibbs). But Paul's strongest ability is in excelling at whatever it is that is put in front of him through hard work and dedication, on the field or in life.
