High School: Played running back and defensive back and returned punts and kicks at Grafton High School where he played for head coach David Walton...team went 9-1 and won Bay Rivers District title in 2005 and went 7-3 in 2006...four-year letterwinner in football who led team to four-year mark of 34-12...earned first team All-State honors as both a running back and kick returner as a senior...named Region and District Offensive Player of the Year in 2006...two-time All-Region and All-District selection as a running back, defensive back, and kick returner...first team Daily Press All-Star at both running back and defensive back...rushed for 2,058 yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior to set school records...scored seven touchdowns in one game and had a school-record 41 total his senior yeara...also caught 13 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns, returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, and intercepted two passes as a senior...rushed for 1,109 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior when he also intercepted four passes...four-year letterwinner in track and was a district and regional champion...state medalist in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4 x 100 meter relay as a senior...two-year letterwinner at point guard in basketball...led team to 18-2 record as a junior...second team all-district as a senior...named Grafton’s Male Athlete of the Year...earned U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished High School Athlete Award...served as team captain in all three sports...honor roll student...Latin Honor Society.

At Delaware: Lone running back in Delaware’s 2007 recruiting class...with Blue Hens’ talented and deep rushing attack, will most likely redshirt this season...should make big contributions in the future.

Personal: Phillip Ellington Thaxton...born Dec. 18, 1988 in Bryan, TX...son of Eric and Caroline Thaxton...plans to major in sport management and would like to get into sports public relations or become a sport agent...has an older brother...has worked as a waiter during the summers.