Published: June 22, 2007 10:05 am      

Proving the doubters wrong

Phillip Hibbard turns in a strong performance during Kentucky-Tennessee All-Star game

Phillip Hibbard heard the rumblings after he signed to play football at the University of Kentucky.

He read the posts on various Internet sites on how he couldn’t play, why did Kentucky sign him, things like that. He knew that he didn’t get ranked on Scouts.com or Rivals.com, and wasn’t really a highly regarded player coming out of South Laurel.

“A lot of those people never even saw me play,” Hibbard said.

But he never let it get him down. He knew, if given the chance, he could prove those doubters wrong.

Last Friday night, he took a huge step in that direction, as his play in the second half helped the Kentucky All-Stars overcome a 21-10 half-time deficit and beat Tennessee, 38-24.

“I think I opened a lot of eyes,” Hibbard said.

But he didn’t go into the game with any thoughts of trying to be the star. In fact, when he was named to the Kentucky team, he was originally on the offensive line. But two days before the game, Kentucky’s Chase Dumphord, a 6-5, 315 pound defensive lineman out of Paris sprained his ankle, and it was decided to move Hibbard to the defensive side of the ball.

“I got to go through a walk-through, but I didn’t know what I would be able to do,” Hibbard said.

All he did was make two key tackles in the third quarter, and hurried the Tennessee quarterback in the fourth for an incomplete pass. Afterwards, Hibbard was the defensive star in the eyes of many.

“It was one of the best high school football experiences I’ve ever had,” Hibbard said. “That style of play, on that competitive level, I can’t describe the feelings I had.”

While Hibbard played on the defensive line in high school, it was mostly on the inside of the line. In this game, he was forced to play outside, but that didn’t worry him, even though he was forced to stop the run to the outside.

“I just went out and did my job,” Hibbard said. “I wanted to prove that I could play.”

Hibbard said it was a great feeling to beat Tennessee, especially after they held a 21-10 half-time lead.

“They (Tennessee) were feeling cocky at the half, and that didn’t sit well with me or the rest of my teammates,” Hibbard said.

While he personally prefers playing on the offensive line, he said if Kentucky wants to move him to defense, that’s fine with him.

“They recruited me for my size and speed,” Hibbard said. “They said we could work on everything else. I don’t care where I play as long as I play. If they want me to play defense, I’ll work my tail off.”