Ne’Quan Phillips looked up to No. 1 for guidance as a freshman. Now a sophomore, he’s filling both the jersey and the role of mentor for some of the newcomers in the University of Hawaii secondary.
Phillips, No. 20 on the roster last year, is sporting the number worn by Mike Edwards last year and is working to solidify a cornerback spot following Edwards’ departure for the NFL.
"Basically he passed it down to me," Phillips said of the number change. "I had been wanting No. 1, but it comes with a lot of responsibility and also I have some big shoes to fill."
With five starts in his 12 appearances as a true freshman, Phillips is suddenly one of the more experienced cornerbacks on the depth chart. He snared two interceptions and broke up two passes in his first year of college ball, and can relate to the transition some of his new teammates are facing in their first fall camp with the Rainbow Warriors.
Phillips continued to practice with the first unit in team drills on Monday, with freshman Barry Higdon, a fellow Florida high school product, at the other cornerback spot.
"He’s playing the same role I did last year," Phillips said. "He came in here with the same mentality — he’s trying to play right away."
Phillips and safety Marrell Jackson earned roles in the secondary as true freshmen a year ago and now "we’re supposed to set the example and show them the way," he said.
"Mike Edwards was like my big brother — he taught me everything when I came here, so I’m just trying to do the same with them."
Higdon made the cross-country trip in June as part of the influx of Florida products joining the UH secondary the past two seasons and relished the chance to work with the first unit in the early stages of camp.
"I’ve spent a whole lot of the summer in the playbook, in the film room, in the classroom. So I really feel confident running with the ones," Higdon said after Monday’s practice. "I know my plays, I know what I have to do. … I know I still have to get better. There’s always room for improvement."
"He’s raw, but he’s hungry for learning football and he wants to know what to do and how to do it," UH defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer said of Higdon, who gives the Warriors more height on the perimeter at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds.
Phillips broke up a couple of passes in team drills, and Kaumeyer has noted his progress over the summer now that he’s equipped with a season of Division I experience.
"(Phillips) had a good practice today, which was nice to see. He’s just got to keep that focus," Kaumeyer said. "He stayed here, he was working and got his weight down so he can move; he’s not as heavy and sluggish as he was last year."
Replacing Edwards’ production as well as his presence within the unit is among the top challenges facing the UH coaching staff heading into the new season. Edwards, now competing for a job with the New York Jets, ranked 11th nationally with 17 passed defended — 15 break-ups and two interceptions — while drawing the assignment against the opponent’s top receiver.
Kaumeyer said the coaches plan to mix in more variety to the secondary’s coverages this season after playing a man scheme for much of last season, and they will continue to evaluate the competition at cornerback. Junior Dee Maggitt and freshman Kwamane Bowens were second in the rotation on Monday, with Brian Clay and Anthony Pierce also getting work.
Tony Grimes, who opened last season as one of UH’s starting cornerbacks, saw some time at nickelback and safety on Monday.
