Eddie Phillips

Mesquite High School Football, Class of 1967

Eddie Phillips was a standout quarterback at Mesquite High School, earning Second Team All-District honors in 1965 before being named All-District Quarterback and First Team Quarterback by the Southern Conference (SoCon) in 1966 for his leadership and performance on the field. He went on to play collegiately at the University of Texas, where he served as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback during the 1970 and 1971 seasons. In 2005, Phillips was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor. 

Notably regarded as one of the finest wishbone quarterbacks in college football history, he led UT to an undefeated regular season and the 1970 UPI National Championship. He helped guide the Longhorns to a remarkable 30-game winning streak and was known for his toughness, playmaking ability, and command of the offense. Among his most memorable moments was a dramatic game-winning touchdown pass against UCLA that preserved the historic winning streak. Phillips also earned Cotton Bowl MVP honors in the 1971 Cotton Bowl and finished his collegiate career with more than 1,200 rushing yards, setting a new Cotton Bowl record for total yards production and sealing his legacy in Mesquite ISD athletics.