He said he answered the inquiries from NFL personnel by saying he improved in areas not shown by stats .
Phillips , a Carol City native , made third - team All - American the following season before watching his statistics drop slightly in 2007 .
Phillips said Phillips answered the inquiries from NFL personnel by saying Phillips improved in areas not shown by stats .
Phillips , a Carol City native , made third - team All - American the following season before watching his statistics drop slightly in 2007 .