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Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat. 

Braylon Phillips, a senior linebacker for the Bainbridge Bearcats, officially committed to Charleston Southern University during the early signing period in December.

On Friday afternoon, with all eyes on him, he had the chance to commemorate the significant event with his family, coaches, and teammates.

“It feels good knowing that I’ve worked so hard,” Braylon Phillips said, “and it’s all paid off.”  

Phillips will be joining the Buccaneers football program this summer located in North Charleston, South Carolina. 

“The atmosphere and connection I’ve built at Charleston Southern, they care for each other,” Phillips said. “I felt like I bonded with the coaches and players off the rip.”

Phillips has accumulated some monster numbers over his 32 career varsity games, including 209 total tackles, 154 solo tackles, and 43 tackles for loss. 

Phillips had three individual games this year with double-digit tackles and racked up his most, 12, against Coffee High School on August 16, 2024. 

He finished sixth in the 3A Region with 72 tackles in his final high school football season. 

Even though Bainbridge head football coach Jay Walls only had Phillips for one season, he immediately knew the type of leader he had for his football program. The production on the field was consistent every week. 

“Phillips showed his dependability and work ethic every single day,” Coach Walls said, “whether it be summer workouts, practice, being in the weight room, I don’t remember him missing a play.” 

It was a big adjustment for Phillips after three years of being coached by Jeff Littleton. However, over time, trust was organically built with Coach Walls. 

“What he (Phillips) did production-wise, he and Amarion Donaldson led our defense in most stats,” Walls said. ”They stood out, and certainly for him (Phillips), if not the guy in every statistical defensive category, he was number two. We have a lot of work to replace his production.” 

Phillips switched positions during his three seasons on varsity, from tight end to defensive end, before eventually settling at the linebacker position. 

He also competed in four track and field events: the high jump, triple jump, 300-meter hurdles, and 400-meter dash.

“I just figured it out right after my sophomore year,” Phillips said. “That was my breakout year, and I thought to myself I could go far with this.” 

Phillips would continue working on his speed through track and being undeniable in the weight room.

Phillips’ message to underclassmen is about achieving the position he earned and seizing the opportunity to play Division I football. “Be willing to play special teams to get on the field and compete against the starters by playing on the scout team during practices; it pays off in the long haul.”