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The irony is that Phillips, a defensive end recruit from Nebraska, played in six games at nose tackle as an undersized true freshman in 2014 primarily because Stanford’s defensive line was decimated by injuries, the Stanford Daily noted, adding he put on 25 pounds this offseason.
“Where it hurts is our depth,” coach Davis Shaw said (via the San Jose Mercury News). “We’ll have to lean on some guys.”
Sophomore Solomon Thomas will slide over from defensive end to replace Phillips. Fifth-year senior transfer Brennan Scarlett will move into Thomas’ vacated position at defensive end.
Phillips will seek a medical redshirt for 2015 to retain three years of eligibility.
