NASHVILLE – The Titans selected former UCLA receiver Kyle Philips in the fifth round of Saturday's NFL Draft.
Immediately, Philips got emotional.
"Once I got that call, I started crying right away," Philips said on a conference call after being picked. "I thought I was going to be able to hold (the tears) back, but I couldn't do it. I am just extremely thankful.
"It's from all the hard work, and the Titans just believing in me, giving the opportunity to live out my dreams and play in the NFL. I couldn't be more excited to be a Titan."
Philips, taken with the 163rd overall pick, caught 59 passes for 739 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2021. He led all Pac-12 receivers with the 10 touchdown catches and he rated No. 2 in the Pac-12 in receiving yards per game (67.18) and No. 3 in the league in receptions per game average (5.36).
Phillips (5-11, 191) also averaged 22.6 yards per punt return this season, including an 82-yard touchdown scamper against Colorado. He posted 100-yard games against Fresno State (113) and Stanford (120) last year. He was named first-team All-Pac-12 as a receiver and was a second-team selection as a kick returner by the league's coaches.
In four seasons with the Bruins, Philips caught 163 passes for 1,821 yards and 17 touchdowns. Philips had a reception in each of the last 29 games he played in and 35 catches in the last five games of the season.
"My work ethic, how I work, I am just excited to go in there and do everything I can and earn a spot anywhere on the field, whether that is special teams, on the cover teams, or on offense in the slot," Philips said. "Whatever that is, I just want to help the team win some games. … I am willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win."
The Titans selected UCLA WR Kyle Philips in the fifth round of Saturday's NFL Draft.
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips (2) against Arizona State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Tempe, Ariz. UCLA won 25-18. (AP Photo/Matt York)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips (2) runs on a punt return during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips gestures during the second half of an NCAA college football game against California Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips scores a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against California Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Pasadena, Calif. UCLA won 42-14. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips (2) makes a touchdown catch over Fresno State defensive back Bralyn Lux (38) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips, left, falls just short of the goal line after completing a pass as Arizona State defensive back Timarcus Davis tackles him while quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips scores against LSU during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips, left, makes a catch for a touchdown as Arizona State defensive back DeAndre Pierce defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips (2) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips (2) reacts after scoring a touchdown against Stanford safety Kendall Williamson (21) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
