Sam Phillips Likes Iowa Fit
Transfer Receiver Believes in Hawkeye Plan
Sam Phillips already navigated the recruiting process while in high school. When the Chattanooga receiver entered the transfer portal last month, experiences painted a clearer picture of what he was looking for in a college home.
After reporting scholarship offers from USC, Pitt, Memphis and others, the Cartersville (GA) High settled on Iowa last week. He visited campus at the end of December.
“The community is very passionate, and you can tell they care about the program,” Phillips said. “Coach (Kirk) Ferentz and his staff, they are phenomenal.”
Phillips (5-9, 185) caught 153 passes for 2,088 and nine touchdowns in three seasons at the FCS level. That total included 49 receptions for 803 yards and three scores in 2024.
“I want to bring that dynamic piece to the (Iowa) offense, making those explosive plays and giving momentum to not only the offense, but the team as well,” he said.
The wideout was the last of five student-athletes the Hawkeyes added from the portal during the ’25 cycle so far. Phillips joined South Dakota State’s Mark Gronowski (QB) and Bryce Hawthorne (DL), Auburn’s Hank Brown (QB) and Central Michigan’s Jonah Pace (DL).