Cypress Lakes High School senior Corbin Phillips is looking to have a big year after his commitment to Houston Christian University. Credit: Terry Foster

As a defensive lineman, Corbin Phillips’ job is to dominate offensive lines, but beneath the pads lies a sharp mind with a deep passion for understanding people. 

The Cypress Lakes High School senior standout, who recently committed to Houston Christian University (HCU), isn’t just chasing sacks and tackles. He’s also pursuing a degree in psychology.

With offers from academically prestigious schools like Dartmouth, Phillips’ decision to combine college football with an intellectual pursuit shows he’s thinking far beyond the gridiron.

“During my recruiting journey, I was fortunate enough to build relationships with a lot of coaches,” said Phillips. “The love I received from (HCU) defensive line coach Mark McMillan and the rest of the HCU staff made me feel like they were a true family.”

Although HCU is a private Christian university, location and player development were key factors in Phillips’ decision.

“My parents being able to attend all the home games was important as well as my development and being prepared for the next chapter of my life,” said Phillips.

Balancing academics and athletics wasn’t an easy decision, but Phillips understands the critical role education plays in his future.

“I know without academics, I can’t play sports,” said Phillips. “I know that a strong GPA (grade point average) will be my gateway to living my dream of playing D1 football.”

Education has always been a cornerstone in the Phillips household. His maternal grandparents are alumni of Texas Southern University. His grandfather, Jimmy Graves, was a pharmacist and his grandmother, Jo Ree Graves, was an elementary school teacher.

“Both of my parents are alumni of Indiana University and my mom is a high school English teacher,” said Phillips. “Growing up, education was very important in our house. It was like I was born into it.”

Phillips’ interest in psychology began after taking it as an elective during his junior year.

“I was interested in how the brain worked, along with people’s motives for doing things or their thought process,” said Phillips. “Studying psychology can help me become a better leader on the field. Knowing how people think can help me effectively encourage my teammates to be on the same page in order to dominate on the field.”

This insight helps Phillips manage the mental aspects of the game, including pressure, focus and overcoming setbacks.

“Some things in football are out of your control, but what I can control is how I react to that situation,” said Phillips. “If I lose a rep, I don’t shut down and feel bad for myself. I line back up and tell myself. Now you must win the next one.”

Cypress Lakes head football coach Tyrone Carter agrees that Phillips exhibits strong leadership and emotional intelligence qualities that align with his interest in psychology.

Cypress Lakes High School senior Corbin Phillips is more than just a problem on the defensive front, as a senior he plans to help encourage the younger players more this season. Credit: Terry Foster

“Corbin notices when someone in the group is feeling left out or stressed and he takes the time to check in with them,” said Carter. “He listens without interrupting, asks thoughtful questions and helps people feel understood.”

That support extends beyond the field.

“He checks in on them after tough games or practices and he’s quick to send a motivating text or offer to help if someone is struggling,” Carter said. “He also makes an effort to build genuine friendships outside of sports, inviting teammates to hang out, celebrating their successes and listening when they need to talk.”

Maintaining a 3.73 GPA while earning First-Team All-District honors requires discipline and time management skills that Phillips has honed with support from his parents. He structures his days similarly to a college athlete.

“During my first block of time, I wake up at 5:15 a.m.,” said Phillips. “That gives me time to stretch, shower, eat breakfast and leave for school by 6:40 a.m. My next block is school. After school and practice, my evening block consists of a shower, a recap of my day with my parents and dinner. My last block of the day is homework or reviewing for any upcoming tests. My parents say breaking the day into blocks makes for a more productive day.”

Phillips believes sticking to this routine is the key to success, both academically and athletically. While his dream is to play in the NFL, he’s also thinking about life after football.

“My dream would be playing in the NFL. But if not, I would eventually come back to the game of football as a coach or sports psychologist and pass my knowledge of the game to young players in hopes of helping them reach their goals on and off the field.”

Corbin Phillips

“My dream would be playing in the NFL,” said Phillips. “But if not, I would eventually come back to the game of football as a coach or sports psychologist and pass my knowledge of the game to young players in hopes of helping them reach their goals on and off the field.”

To younger athletes striving for excellence in both sports and academics, Phillips shares simple but powerful advice:

“Never get comfortable with what you have,” said Phillips. “Always strive to be better tomorrow than what you were today.”

About Corbin Phillips:

Class: 2026

IG: @99._problemz

Twitter: @CorbinPhil19

Position: Defensive lineman

Height & weight: 6-feet-1, 275 pounds

Favorite artist: Rod Wave

Status: Committed to Houston Christian University

Favorite subjects: Psychology, science

Shout-outs: Coach Carter, Coach Tryon, Coach Munne and Coach Kolber

I’m originally from Kansas. I graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in communication studies. Shortly after moving to Houston in 2007, I began doing photography. I covered cy fair sports...