L.J. Phillips Re-Release! All-American running back describes journey to USD after his 301-yard breakout game in September

Where did that come from? L.J. Phillips burst seemingly out of nowhere to rumble for 301 yards in South Dakota's absolutely-had-to-have-this overtime win over Northern Colorado in September. The backup running back to All-American Charles Pierre, Jr., to start the 2025 campaign came within seven yards of breaking Amos Allen's 18-year-old school record. Not bad for a first start! But it didn't come out of nowhere. Phillips had offers from Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and other Power Four squads by his junior year of high school at Wichita Northwest (Kansas). But a torn ACL in the playoffs that season made all those offers and Division I recruiters vanish. Except USD. So, how did the redshirt sophomore get here? And in a day and age where players can — and so many do — jump ship to another school if they aren't named the starter, why did Phillips stay in Vermillion and stay in the stable to play behind a thoroughbred? Obviously, for a moment like Saturday. But there's a lot more to it, and to him. Enjoy this 35-minute chat with the smiling, engaging Phillips about his life, journey to and through USD, and... wait, he is a cousin of Chiefs legend Priest Holmes?!