Dashaun Phillips

Dashaun Phillips (born January 3, 1991) is a former American professional football cornerback. Raised in Duncanville, Texas, he earned honours as a standout defensive back at Duncanville High School before playing college football at Tarleton State University. At Tarleton, Phillips received multiple accolades, including Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and finished among the school’s top interception leaders.

Undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys and went on to spend time with several teams, including the New York Jets, Washington Redskins, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Phillips also played in the XFL for the Dallas Renegades before the league suspended operations in 2020. Throughout his career, he was known for his persistence and defensive skill.

Tarleton State Texans (College Career)
Dashaun Phillips played college football at Tarleton State University from 2009 to 2013. After redshirting his first year, he quickly became one of the team’s defensive standouts. In 2011, Phillips led the Lone Star Conference with 7 interceptions and 15 passes defended, earning him the LSC Defensive Player of the Year award. He was named First-Team All-LSC and First-Team All-Super Region Four. By the end of his college career, Phillips had recorded numerous tackles, pass breakups, and key plays, finishing as one of the top defensive backs in school history.

NFL and XFL (Professional Career)
After going undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft, Phillips signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a college free agent. Though released before the season began, he joined the New York Jets practice squad later that year and signed a futures contract. He remained with the Jets through 2015 before being waived/injured.

Phillips was then signed by the Washington Redskins in September 2015. He rotated between the practice squad and active roster over two seasons, appearing in multiple games. In January 2016, he suffered a severe neck injury during a game but recovered and continued his career.

In August 2017, Phillips was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He spent the season on the practice squad and signed a reserve/future contract in early 2018, but was released before the season.

In 2019, he was selected by the Dallas Renegades in the 2020 XFL Draft. He played briefly before the league suspended operations in April 2020. His professional career reflected determination and versatility across both the NFL and XFL.

Dashaun Phillips did not have an international football career. His playing experience was entirely within the United States, across college football, the NFL, and the XFL. He did not represent the United States in international competitions, nor did he play professionally for any teams outside of the U.S.

Position: Cornerback

• Dashaun Phillips played as a cornerback, a key defensive position responsible for covering wide receivers, breaking up passes, and preventing big plays. Cornerbacks must possess a combination of speed, agility, awareness, and tackling ability to succeed in both man-to-man and zone coverage schemes.

Skills

• Coverage Ability: Phillips demonstrated strong coverage skills throughout his career, particularly in college where he led his conference in interceptions. His ability to track receivers, read the quarterback’s eyes, and anticipate routes made him effective in defending both short and deep passes.
• Ball Skills: Phillips had a natural instinct for the ball, as seen during his college tenure when he recorded 7 interceptions in a single season. He consistently positioned himself to make plays on the ball, showing reliable hands and timing when contesting catches.
• Footwork and Agility: As a cornerback, Phillips relied on fluid footwork and quick changes of direction to stay with agile receivers. His agility helped him maintain tight coverage and react swiftly to cuts, fakes, and double moves by opposing players.
• Tackling: Beyond pass coverage, Phillips was a solid tackler. He made numerous open-field tackles and wasn’t hesitant to engage with ball carriers. His tackling technique and willingness to play physically added value on both defence and special teams.
• Resilience and Adaptability: Phillips showed notable perseverance in navigating the NFL as an undrafted player. He adapted to various team systems and overcame challenges, including injuries and roster changes, to stay competitive at the professional level.
• Field Awareness: His strong understanding of defensive schemes and situational football allowed Phillips to contribute not only as a starter but also on special teams. His football IQ and ability to read developing plays enhanced his overall defensive contribution.

Dashaun Phillips was born on January 3, 1991, in Duncanville, Texas. He is one of five children born to his mother, Cassandra. His siblings are named Zion, Asia, Tara, and Jack. Phillips attended Duncanville High School, where he not only excelled in football but also competed in track and field, lettering in both sports for three years. As a student-athlete, he stood out for his leadership qualities, serving as team captain during his senior year and earning multiple honours, including Defensive Back of the Year in District 8-5A.

After high school, he attended Tarleton State University, where he majored in kinesiology, a field related to human movement and physical activity, reflecting his continued interest in sports, health, and fitness. Despite the challenges of going undrafted, Phillips persevered to build a professional football career, which included time in the NFL and XFL.

Outside of football, Phillips is known to have maintained strong ties to his hometown of Duncanville, often reflecting pride in his roots. His journey from a small-town athlete to a professional player is marked by determination, discipline, and a strong family foundation.

Dashaun Phillips’s legacy is one of resilience, determination, and inspiration—particularly for aspiring athletes from his hometown of Duncanville, Texas. At Duncanville High School, Phillips left a lasting mark as a standout defensive back and team leader. He earned multiple honours during his senior year, including District 8-5A Defensive Back of the Year and Most Valuable Player, while also leading the team as captain to a District Championship in 2008. His achievements on the field made him one of the most respected student-athletes in the school’s history.

Phillips's journey from Duncanville to professional football serves as a motivational blueprint for local youth. Despite playing for a Division II college, Tarleton State, and going undrafted, he carved out a multi-year professional career in the NFL and XFL, representing teams such as the Cowboys, Jets, Redskins, Steelers, and Dallas Renegades. His success story exemplifies the values of hard work and perseverance that Duncanville High School aims to instil in its students.

Today, Dashaun Phillips is remembered as one of Duncanville High School’s notable alumni: proof that with discipline and drive, students from any background can reach the professional level and make an impact beyond their hometown.

Awards and Recognition

• Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2011)
• First-Team All-Lone Star Conference (2011)
• First-Team All-Super Region Four (2011)
• District 8-5A Defensive Back of the Year (2008 – Duncanville High School)
• Team MVP and Captain – Duncanville High School (2008)
• Three-year Letterman in Football and Track

College Achievements with Tarleton State University

• Tied for No. 3 all-time in school history for most interceptions in a season
• Led the Lone Star Conference with 7 interceptions and 15 passes defended in 2011
• Recognized for his consistent defensive performances across multiple seasons
• Majored in Kinesiology, combining athletics with academics

NFL and Professional Career

• Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys in 2014
• Played for multiple NFL teams: New York Jets, Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Promoted multiple times from practice squad to active roster in Washington, reflecting perseverance and performance
• Participated in the XFL with the Dallas Renegades in 2020

Legacy and Impact

• Celebrated alumnus of Duncanville High School, known for leadership and discipline
• A role model for student-athletes from underrepresented and non-Division I backgrounds
• Symbol of resilience—rising from undrafted status to earning NFL contracts and playing across multiple professional teams
• Remembered for his work ethic, adaptability, and contributions on defence and special teams

Additional Recognition

• Featured in various regional sports features highlighting successful Duncanville athletes
• Known for his commitment to fitness, community representation, and his inspiring journey through the professional ranks

Websites
NFL: Overview of Dashaun Phillips’s professional stats and career information. Available at: https://www.nfl.com/players/dashaun-phillips/
Pro Football Reference: Career statistics, teams, and game logs. Available at: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PhilDa00.htm
Tarleton State Texans: College bio and achievements at Tarleton State. Available at: https://tarletonsports.com/

Articles
ESPN: Player profile and news updates. Available at: https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/17281/dashaun-phillips
NBC Sports Washington: Reports on Phillips's tenure with the Washington Redskins and game-day updates.
Bleacher Report: Coverage of team transactions and injury updates during his NFL career.