Jacob Phillips

Jacob Phillips (born April 1, 1999) is an American football linebacker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Louisiana State University (LSU) and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Early years
Phillips attended East Nashville Magnet High School in Nashville, Tennessee. As a senior in 2016, he was selected Tennessee Mr. Football and played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He was a semifinalist for the 2016 Butkus Award, which is given to the nation's top high school linebacker. A five-star recruit, Phillips was originally committed to play college football at the University of Oklahoma but flipped the commitment to Louisiana State University (LSU).

College career
As a true freshman at LSU in 2017, Phillips played in 12 games, recording 18 tackles. As a sophomore in 2018, he started 11 of 12 games and finished the season with 87 tackles and a sack. Phillips returned as a starter his junior year in 2019. Following a junior season where he led the team in tackles, Phillips announced that he would forgo his senior year and declared for the 2020 NFL Draft.

Cleveland Browns
Phillips was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round with the 97th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Browns previously acquired this selection from the Houston Texans by trading Duke Johnson to Houston. Phillips was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on December 26, 2020, and activated on December 31.

On September 1, 2021, Phillips was placed on injured reserve with a biceps injury. He was activated on December 11.

Phillips entered the 2022 season as the backup middle linebacker behind Anthony Walker. He became the starter in Week 4 following an injury to Walker. He started the next four games before being placed on injured reserve on October 26, 2022, after suffering a pectoral injury in Week 7.

On August 13, 2023, Phillips was placed on injured reserve.

Houston Texans
On April 23, 2024, Phillips signed a one-year deal with the Houston Texans for $1.15 million.