UCLA WR Kyle Philips turning heads during Shrine Bowl practices
The Senior Bowl and the East-West Shrine Bowl can be major launch pads for NFL careers. Show up and show out in practices ahead of the game, and your name can start to shoot up draft boards
One guy making the most of his East-West Shrine Bowl opportunity this time around? UCLA wideout Kyle Philips.
In fact, NFL.com’s Bill Smith wrote Tuesday there may not be a player who has helped himself more than Philips with the string of practices he’s had.
“No player in Vegas is generating more buzz than Philips,” Smith wrote. “His ability to get in and out of breaks quickly has impressed, and he’s catching everything thrown his way. … Teams looking for a slot receiver in the Hunter Renfrow mold will be studying Philips, as the two wideouts have almost identical measurables.”
Philips was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection by league coaches in 2021, pacing the league with 10 touchdown receptions. Philips also broke the UCLA record for receptions in a season by a freshman with 60 catches during the 2019 campaign. A year later, he played in all seven games and hauled in 38 catches for 370 yards and two scores.
In 2021, Philips had 739 yards on 59 receptions. The 5-foot-11 wideout from San Marcos, California, ended his Bruin career fourth all-time in receptions at UCLA with 163.
Renfrow is a nice comp to get this early in the draft process. The Raiders’ wideout had a pair of 600-yard receiving seasons his first two years in the league, then experienced something of a breakout during the 2021-22 season. The former Clemson wideout caught 103 balls for 1,038 yards and nine scores, all of which led the Raiders.
He was a fifth-round draft selection back in the 2019 NFL Draft.
So far, most who have taken in Shrine Bowl practices have raved about Philips’ performance. It’s his footwork and quickness catching people off-guard. He has even been referred to as “unguardable.” Here’s what they’re saying:
.@UCLAFootball WR Kyle Phillips was one of the biggest standouts from the West practice today at @ShrineBowl. Very quick feet, consistent separation in 1-on-1s and during scrimmages.
Stoles some ankles on this rep pic.twitter.com/dIBKqpvFTU
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 29, 2022
UCLA WR Kyle Phillips had a good day of practice for the East/West Shrine game yesterday. He showed great quickness and footwork to freeze the CB at the top of his route.
Phillips is an early round four prospect for me and he might be drafted higher if he continues to show out. pic.twitter.com/nanCyg16Bi
— Nick Price (@PriceCheck3) January 30, 2022
UCLA WR Kyle Philips might be the biggest riser from the East/West Shrine Bowl once it’s all said and done. The dude has been showing off great route route prowess and has looked catching the ball.
Philips got an early 4th from me but he could honestly go a little higher.
— Nick Price (@PriceCheck3) January 31, 2022
WR vs. DB 1-on-1s at the goal line are incredibly difficult for the defense, but @UCLAFootball WR Kyle Philips continuing to show he’s on another level with his footwork and route running at @ShrineBowl practices pic.twitter.com/mGRxlBCtS3
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 31, 2022
#ShrineBowl Kyle Philips from @UCLAFootball has SMOOTH footwork. DB never stood a chance pic.twitter.com/KoPEA79N9T
— Mike Spencer Hrynyshyn (@MikeH_Draft) January 30, 2022
.@UCLAFootball WR Kyle Philips is making some money out in Vegas this week at the #ShrineBowl!
Showcases his speed on this TD, and he’s been demonstrating his ability to create separation effortlessly during drills…
— PFN Draft (@PFNDraft) January 30, 2022