Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Mose Phillips III has quickly established himself as a key contributor in his second year as a Hokie, showcasing his talent through the first six weeks of the season. Standing at 6-foot-2 and 193 pounds, the sophomore safety's ability to cover ground and disrupt plays has been instrumental in solidifying Virginia Tech’s secondary. His versatility allows him to excel in coverage and step up to the line of scrimmage when needed, making him a crucial piece of defensive coordinator Chris Marve’s scheme. Phillips will look to continue his strong play as the Hokies hit the road to face Stanford this Saturday, Oct. 14, at 3:30 p.m. ET, with live coverage on ACC Network.
As a freshman, the Nashville, Tennessee native flashed his potential, appearing in all 13 games with two starts. He registered 27 tackles and had a breakout performance in the Military Bowl against Tulane, where he recorded a season-high seven tackles and forced a fumble. Those glimpses of promise have seamlessly translated into consistent production in his second year.
Now a true sophomore, Phillips has elevated his game to new heights. He currently leads the team with 34 tackles and has added a sack, two passes defended and an interception to his stat sheet. His most recent standout moment came against Miami, where he made a crucial play by jumping a Cam Ward pass on 3rd-and-goal, returning it 33 yards to set the Hokies up near midfield.
Against the Hurricanes, Phillips recorded five tackles without a single missed tackle, as noted by Pro Football Focus, while limiting opposing receivers to just one catch for 15 yards on four targets. His ability to read plays and make impactful stops has been crucial to the Hokies' defense this season.