NC State sophomore cornerback Freddie Phillips has a clear warning to the Wolfpack quarterbacks for the upcoming Kay Yow Spring Game on April 9.

Phillips is guaranteeing an interception, so the NCSU cadre of quarterbacks will need to be wary of throwing in his direction. Phillips will also let the NC State receivers know about it, all in good fun of course.

“I’m going to give [the fans] an interception,” Phillips said. “It won’t matter who is at quarterback because they will be in trouble. I have to get one.”

The loquacious native of Pelion, S.C., played in 12 games last year, mostly on special teams, and was a backup at nickelback. The former early enrollee has moved to cornerback for his second spring session of his Wolfpack career.

“It has taken some time to get used to the position because I came in as a safety who went to nickelback,” said Phillips, who was recruited by NCSU running backs coach Des Kitchings. “I feel a lot more comfortable at cornerback, being able to go one-on-one with the wide receivers. You have to win out there. I’m going to win.”

Phillips went from getting coached by defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable and hanging out with junior Dravious Wright, to now being with cornerbacks coach George Barlow.

“They were my family over there, but I told them I am just moving out a little bit [on the field], and that I can see you guys over here. Dravious taught me a lot playing nickel.”

Phillips said another key to playing cornerback is to never get beat deep, which he claims has not happened this spring. The key is getting his eyes in the right spot at cornerback.

“You will not see them beat me deep out here yet,” Phillips said. “I am going to do whatever it takes to win.”

Phillips played four snaps in the season opener at nickelback, and then was on special teams the rest of the season, getting three tackles. He believes getting the chance to play has helped him more than if he had redshirted.

“It was worth it,” Phillips said. “Getting those snaps, even if it is on special teams, just being out there on the field, you see it is another feel to the game. I’m a step ahead and I won’t be overwhelmed come Saturday’s during the season.”

The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder played all over in high school, including wide receiver, safety, cornerback and kick returner. He credits playing receiver for being able to make difficult interceptions in the secondary.

“I have the toughness, and I’m not going to let any receiver man me up like that,” Phillips said. “Some of the stuff you take from nickel, like being physically tough, you take that out there.”

Phillips said redshirt freshman Freddie Simmons and redshirt sophomore Stephen Louis are pretty good at challenging the cornerbacks verbally in practice. However, senior Bra’Lon Cherry is the quiet storm in the group.

“I can talk with the best of them now, so I’m going to do it and then back it up,” Phillips said. “Cherry is quiet, but he gets it done and makes plays. I don’t even bother with Cherry.”