2014 BYU Football Newcomers: Phillip Amone
By Mitch Harper
Leading up to Fall Camp at the end of the month, here at Lawless Republic we will be giving you a daily glimpse at the signees and return missionaries that will be part of the 2014 BYU Football team.
Phillip Amone
Dr. Phillips High School | Orlando, FL
5-11 ½ | 230 LBS | ILB
More from BYU Football
- BYU Football: Comparing the new and old schedules
- BYU Football: Have the Cougars hit an all time low?
- BYU Football needs to fix issues before Notre Dame
- BYU Football: Why fans shouldn’t be so worried about USF
- BYU Sports: Is a Big 12 announcement finally coming?
Before BYU: Amone was one of the top 15 linebackers in central Florida (Scout.com) while prepping at Dr. Phillips High School. Amone received interest from numerous schools; including Alabama. None of which ever offered. Many schools were turned off by Amone’s lack of size at 5’11, and the fact that he wanted to serve an LDS mission right out of high school. Once BYU came into the picture, Amone jumped at the opportunity and committed to BYU at Junior Day 2011.
Amone was a leader of a Dr. Phillips defense in 2012 that was arguably the most talented team in the Orlando area. A total of nine players (including Amone) from Dr. Phillips signed with FBS programs in 2012. Amone was part of DP’s Smash Brothers.
Phillip Amone and Darryl Monroe were double trouble during the 2010 Season They were called the Smash Brothers pic.twitter.com/s7PRl1whzh
— Dr. Phillips (@dphsfootball) June 3, 2013
Amone’s senior campaign in 2012 was cut short after suffering a season-ending ACL injury.
Went on a mission before enrolling at BYU; served in Chile.
What stands out from this highlight reel of Amone is the fact that he is leading the Haka. I mentioned it earlier, this was a talented team, yet Amone who wasn’t as highly recruited as others was one of the leaders. Always need that from the linebacker position, the heart of the defense.
He strikes me as a guy that will be a solid sideline to sideline linebacker. He’s just a football player that has a knack for making plays. I like his downfield pursuit. He puts people on their backs. His style of play will fit very nicely in BYU’s 3-4 defense.
Expectations in 2014: Redshirt
Amone came back from his LDS mission to Chile earlier this month. He’s not going to be ready to compete for a spot in BYU’s two-deep linebacker unit this season. Amone does have one spring session under his belt (2012), but he’s still not ready to contribute in 2014.
Potential in BYU career: Have an Uona Kaveinga-type career
Uona Kaveinga was an underappreciated linebacker at BYU. He wasn’t glitz and glamour, but he brought the toughness to compliment Kyle Van Noy’s big-play ability. Amone has similar traits to Kaveinga, but he has more moxie than Uona in terms of personality. I could see Amone being a staple in the middle of BYU’s defense. It just might take a few years for that to transpire.