Player of the year: Holden Phillips' life-changing season lands him with Texas Tech football

Player of the year: Holden Phillips’ life-changing season lands him with Texas Tech football

Posted by author February 17, 2025 Football

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WOLFFORTH — As the season progressed, it became increasingly difficult not to notice what Holden Phillips was doing.

In his first year as starter, the Frenship quarterback made five passing touchdowns in a game seem commonplace. He began to grab the attention of those around the South Plains — and that included the staff at Texas Tech.

Phillips was a college baseball commit set to graduate in May. Well, 57 touchdowns in a season can change a lot.

Tech football came calling in late November. The Frenship senior didn’t have a lot of time to make a decision, with the Red Raiders wanting his services in the spring.

Fortunately for all involved, Phillips had his mind made up early. It was an opportunity he longed for since he was a youngster head-to-toe in scarlet and black playing ball in the backyard. He’s now on campus living the dream.

The record-breaking debut at Frenship not only changed Phillips’ path, it also earned him Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s big-school football player of the year.

Phillips completed 261 of 349 pass attempts for 4,438 yards, 57 touchdowns and seven interceptions for the 10-2 Tigers. Those were the best marks in school history for completion percentage (74.8%) and passing touchdowns in a single season.

Frenship coach Jay Northcutt said Phillips has a field vision that can’t be taught, along with a high IQ and composure. Northcutt also attributed Phillips’ success to his athleticism and competitiveness as a three-sport standout.

“I think you saw all that wrapped into one,” Northcutt said, “which just made a really special player at that position.”

It was Phillips’ only varsity season with significant time at QB. He waited behind future college players such as Donovan Smith, Chad Pharies and Hudson Hutcheson, and Phillips said he learned a thing or two from each of them. Phillips took hold of his opportunity early, throwing for 508 yards, five TDs and no interceptions in a 48-46 loss to state-ranked Trophy Club Nelson in the opener.

Phillips said he was nervous at the start, but that dissipated.

“The first game for sure gave me the confidence I needed throughout the season,” Phillips said. “… It just gave me the confidence that I’m here, I’m meaning to be here, I was ready to play here.”

Interest from college football programs began to grow, especially after a performance against eventual state finalist Southlake Carroll. Phillips threw for 475 yards and five TDs, and Northcutt believes that game was a significant boost to his recruitment.

“Sometimes when people look at film they wonder, well, who are you playing?” Northcutt said. “… Are you playing a bunch of teams that aren’t very good? That’s not the case for us in (District) 2-6A, and then I think it really shows out when you play Southlake and you do all that.”

Phillips’ plans changed quickly when Tech entered the picture. He called it a “dream come true,” and his circle was supportive.

“Graduating early wasn’t top of my list, knowing I’m gonna have to miss basketball and baseball,” Phillips said. “But it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, and I’m so glad I’m here right now.”

Phillips said he’s adjusting to the “full-time job” of being a college football player, and he’s got Frenship teammate Leyton Stone there also as an early enrollee. The duo was a big part of the Tigers’ season, which Phillips will remember fondly.

“Friday nights in Texas is the high school dream,” Phillips said. “There’s nothing better than it. Just to be able to be part of that, be able to play great schools like (Lubbock-)Cooper and playing at (Odessa) Permian, Friday night lights. It really couldn’t have been any better.”