Jojo Phillips is stepping into the spotlight for BYU, and he's ready to make his mark. Standing tall at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, the former high school basketball star has transformed both physically and mentally over his time in Provo. With key departures like Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston, Phillips has a golden opportunity to become the go-to target for quarterback Bear Bachmeier.
Reflecting on his journey, Phillips shared, “I do feel like I’m ready now that I’m going into year four, which is crazy. I learned a lot from Chase, Darrius Lassiter, Keelan Marion, and all the older guys. So I feel like I’m ready for sure.”
While Phillips has shown potential, consistency has been his Achilles' heel. Last season, after returning from a collarbone injury, he struggled with drops and hesitancy.
However, his performance in the Pop-tarts Bowl, where he caught four passes for 53 yards without a drop, was a turning point. “It helped me gain my confidence back,” he admitted.
“I was just like being scared of contact, but the Pop-tarts Bowl really helped me a lot going into this next season.”
This spring, Phillips headlines a promising group of receivers, including Cody Hagen, transfers Reggie Frischknecht and Kyler Kasper, and exciting freshmen like Legend Glasker. The competition is fierce, but Phillips sees it as a positive.
“I’m just happy we come out, compete every day,” he said. “I just like all of us coming out there and just competing and being the best we can be every play.”
Phillips is also working on becoming a more vocal leader, a role that doesn’t come naturally to him. “I’m a quiet guy.
I don’t really say that much, but when I’m on the field, it’s a different person in me,” he explained. “This is my safe space, and I’m just comfortable.”
If Phillips can maintain his momentum and tap into his potential, he could be a key piece in BYU's offensive puzzle this year. His growth and development would be a win for the entire team.