With Ford and Hodges gone, Cam Phillips embraces leadership role
Cam Phillips (5) slips past Devin Studstill (14) after a reception for the touchdown, Nov. 19, 2016.
Zack Wajsgras / Collegiate Times
Success in the 2016 football season came quickly for the Hokies. The team shocked many analysts, making it to the ACC Championship in new head coach Justin Fuente’s first season as head coach. Fuente’s fast-paced offense was highlighted by a group of explosive offensive options, led by transfer quarterback Jerod Evans and receivers Bucky Hodges and Isaiah Ford.
Just as quickly, players began declaring for the NFL Draft at the end of the season. It started with tight end Hodges, then wide receiver Ford, before the shocker in quarterback Evans. As the dust settled, the Hokies' roster maintained one playmaker who often flew under the radar behind Ford and Hodges, and now looks to step up in their absence: senior wide receiver Cam Phillips.
For the Laurel, Maryland, native, helping the Hokies starts with a role change. After spending 2016 mainly in the slot, Phillips looks to move back to an outside receiver.
Last season, the wide out was used as more of a gadget player running many sweeps and end-arounds. In fact, Phillips ran the ball five times more in 2016 than his first two seasons in Blacksburg combined. Now, Phillips looks to become more of a traditional wide out.
“It’s nothing really different. My freshman and sophomore years I was pretty much outside a lot with Bucky (Hodges) working more in the slot,” the 6-foot wide receiver said. “Last year was a kind of change of pace, but not too much, nothing I couldn’t handle.”
Phillips becoming a number one receiver still brings an additional pressure. In Evans’ first year, Ford became a security blanket, allowing many jump-ball opportunities. The senior wants to make sure that next year’s quarterback has that same luxury.
“Yes definitely I think I am going to help (the quarterbacks). I’m going to make them make the smoothest transition (and) get them comfortable with me. I’m putting a lot of pressure on myself in workouts, running and lifting, just to let them know I can be counted on and trusted when they need me,” Phillips said.
The wide receiver will not only look to make the quarterbacks comfortable, but will try to do so with all newcomers to Blacksburg. On Feb. 3, the Hokies’ 2017 recruiting class wrapped up its 27 commits. For Phillips, serving as a leader in the locker room and on the field will be a goal in the upcoming season.
“I’m very excited to see those new guys, new faces to get them in so they can get adjusted to the culture we have here,” the wide receiver said. “I’m just really looking forward to be a leader this upcoming season.”
Phillips remains confident in his last season in Blacksburg and has big goals as a primary leader.
“(I want to) win an ACC Championship. Just getting back to that plateau and that accomplishment would be very, very special in my senior year. We had a tough loss last year, but it was kind of refreshing to see we got there,” Phillips said. “We had to fight through some things, but definitely winning an ACC Championship and get Virginia Tech all the way back on the map.”
As Virginia Tech waits for the second straight year on the outcome of a quarterback battle, the season will start off with a challenging matchup again. The battle with West Virginia at FedEx Field looms for the Hokies on Sep. 2. With so many players gone, fourth-year starter Phillips will have his opportunities to lead this offense and this team.