The 2024 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Kentucky cornerback Andru Phillips plans on taking full advantage. Phillips recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Phillips also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, playing man and zone coverage, his NFL comparisons, writing his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Phillips better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Andru Phillips: I was at our football facility at Kentucky. I was hanging out at the facility chatting with some of the guys. A package arrived with my name on it. I opened it up and had a huge smile on my face. I was so happy and excited to receive the offer.
JM: What an amazing moment. What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Andru Phillips: It’s one of those all-star games that I watched on television growing up. A lot of all-time greats played in the Senior Bowl. I want to be the next great one to have walked those halls.
JM: What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Andru Phillips: I want to open their eyes and show them who I am as a player. I want my football IQ to shine through both on and off the field. I’m an explosive player that every team should be interested in adding to their defense.
JM: How would you describe your skill set in your own words? Self-scout yourself.
Andru Phillips: I would say I’m explosive and quick. I play the game with an edge. I also play to win every rep. I’m extremely competitive.
JM: If you had to give yourself an NFL comp, which cornerback would you choose and why?
Andru Phillips: I would say Kenny Moore of the Indianapolis Colts. I’ve been compared to him a lot throughout my time at Kentucky. I think we have similar play styles and overall approaches.
JM: You have good size for the position. You’re approximately 6-foot, 185 pounds. Talk to me about using size to your advantage.
Andru Phillips: Shoot, I weigh even more than 185 pounds right now since I’ve been training for the pre-draft process. I definitely use size to my advantage. It means I can play both inside and outside. I can also play a little safety. Size allows me to be versatile enough to play all three positions. I can cover anybody in the slot or outside. I can come downhill and play in the box. I can come downhill and hit somebody.
JM: With that versatility, do you prefer to play man or zone coverage?
Andru Phillips: I don’t prefer one over the other. Not at all. It’s all the same thing to me.
JM: Do you predominantly see yourself playing the nickel or boundary at the next level?
Andru Phillips: I think I can play all five positions across the back end of a secondary.
JM: What’s on Andru Phillips’ pre-game playlist?
Andru Phillips: The song I listened to this year before every game was “Long Journey” by Rod Wave. I’ve loved his music over the past four years or so.
JM: At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Andru Phillips?
Andru Phillips: It definitely means I opened up some eyes to my talent down in Mobile. I’m going to have a lot of fun down there. I have a few teammates from Kentucky going down there with me. We’re looking forward to strapping on that Kentucky helmet one last time together.
I’m going to showcase who I am as a player. I can compete with the best of the best.
