Why is Queen now considered a better prospect than Phillips?

He’s faster

All analysts rave about his cover skills. Says they are elite for a LB.

Philips, not so much.

Scouts like to base a lot on potential. I'd say Phillip's was excellent this year, and was close to his potential. Queen hasnt reached his ceiling, he is still a little raw and clearly an athletic freak-A more desirable prospect for pro coaches.

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He’s faster

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And a more fluid athlete.

If they're both at the combine, the difference will be apparent in the 15 yard shuttle, IMO.

I’m pretty sure Queen has always been viewed as a more dynamic player. Phillips is very good and a sure tackler but I think Queen is a better sideline to sideline guy. A little more explosive. I could be wrong but that’s kind of how I’ve always viewed them. Queen was a damn good running back in HS. Different kind of athleticism

Queen will test better. He seems to be quite a bit faster, which translates to cutting down run angles and better pass coverage. He can stay on the field every down.

Higher potential upside.

Phillips has always been a steady performer, but Queen has been the more dynamic LB. It seems he makes more of the big plays.

I feel like both of them overcame huge gaps in their game this year. Queen was a MUCH improved coverage backer and didn't over-pursue as much as he did last year in his limited action.

Phillips' biggest issue in my eyes coming into this past season was just sticking to his gap responsibility rather than just reading and flowing based off instinct alone.

I think it was last year's Florida game (could be wrong), but I remember watching him fill the same hole as Devin White on a touchdown run over the left side inside the ten.

He saw the back take the ball and step towards the gap that was clearly White's, and stepped up into it with him. By the time Phillips realized what he had done, it was too late. This year, both of them were absolutely fundamentally sound in their games.

I think the big thing that makes Queen the better prospect is his ability in coverage. Not saying Phillips can't cover a little, but we definitely didn't ask him to do so very much. As a matter of fact, we played Chaisson in coverage more so than we did Phillips.

When a linebacker is asked to do one main thing (a la Phillips in run support) during their time in college, it is usually indicative of on of two things:

1). He simply can't perform in a helpful manner doing the other things, so the coaches keep him in the role that is most helpful,

or

2). He is SO good at the one thing that it works out best for the defense to focus his attention in that area schematically.

Obviously I have no insight as to what went on in practices, but that is my opinion of why Queen is considered the better prospect. It is purely based on what I saw happen in the games this year.

Because he is