Football | April 28, 2018

DALLAS- Western Michigan cornerback and return specialist Darius Phillips became the second Western Michigan player taken in the 2018 NFL Draft as he was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 5th round, 170th overall Saturday. Phillips joins teammate Chukwuma Okorafor, who was drafted in the third round Friday by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Phillips has been the Special Teams Player of the Year in the Mid-American Conference the last two seasons and is a two-time first team All-MAC cornerback.

Phillips is known as a ball hawk in the secondary and for his explosiveness on special teams. Over the course of his career he has scored 14 touchdowns five different ways (5 kickoff returns, 5 interceptions, 2 receiving, 1 fumble recovery and 1 punt return). His 12 career runbacks is an FBS record, while his five interception returns ties the all-time FBS mark.

Phillips has four 100-yard kickoff returns in his career, including two this past season, coming in back-to-back weeks at USC and Michigan State. In 2017 he recorded four touchdowns, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 36 tackles and 10 pass break-ups.

"One of his best games this year was against Michigan State and he really did it all," ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said during the draft broadcast. "As a third/fourth (cornerback) option, nickel, dime and return man, Darius Phillips has proven beyond the MAC, against big competition, that he can get it done."

At Western Michigan, Phillips was part of the all-time winningest class in program history with a 35-17 record, including the 2016 MAC Championship and appearance in the Cotton Bowl.