OFFICIAL: LSU steals 4-star CB recruit from Texas
Kade Phillips is on his way to LSU
It feels like just yesterday that Brian Kelly first greeted the fans in Baton Rouge with a quirky, Benoit Blanc-style accent after being named LSU’s head coach. In reality, nearly three years have passed since that memorable moment. In his two seasons with the Tigers, Kelly has achieved what LSU hoped he would—keeping the program competitive and relevant amid the NIL and Transfer Portal changes in college football.
With a record of 20-7 and two bowl victories, Kelly has reestablished LSU as a premier destination for athletes aspiring to compete for championships and advance to the NFL. This includes the recent commitment of 2025 four-star recruit Kade Phillips.
“BREAKING: Four-Star CB Kade Phillips has Flipped his Commitment from Texas to LSU,” tweeted Hayes Fawcett of On3. The 6’1”, 180-pound cornerback from Missouri City, TX, had been committed to Texas since July and is ranked as a Top 65 recruit for ’25 (No. 7 cornerback) by On3.
Phillips stands out not only as a football player at Fort Bend Hightower High School but also shines in track and field, excelling in both long jump and the 200m in Texas. However, when he arrives in Baton Rouge, Chip Kelly will want more than just speed; Phillips is recognized by Hudson Standish from 247 Sports as a “sound open field tackler,” which will be crucial as he faces some of the most dynamic wide receivers in the SEC.
Currently, only Ohio State’s impressive 2025 recruiting class outranks LSU’s, according to 247 Sports. Other SEC contenders such as Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, Tennessee, and Texas A&M also appear in the top ten. The Tigers have secured 24 recruits, matching Ohio State’s number, with 20 being four or five stars. Wilson Alexander of NOLA News highlighted that LSU has now signed four defensive backs in the 2025 class, emphasizing that this secondary is set to have plenty of length.
“LSU has four DBs in the 2025 class. One trait they all share: length,” tweeted Alexander after Phillips’ commitment. “DJ Pickett: 6-4, Kade Phillips: 6-1, Jhase Thomas: 6-1, CJ Jimcoily: 6-3.”
