Michael Phoenix II wasn’t a high school standout in the eyes of recruiters. He didn’t earn the early four-star rankings or the parade of offers that many top-tier athletes receive. But he never let that define him. Through perseverance, faith in his own ability and an unshakable work ethic, Phoenix has carved out a path to success that’s impossible to ignore, turning heads now at Sam Houston State University with every catch, every route, every game.
Phoenix’s journey into college football wasn’t traditional and that’s exactly what makes it remarkable.
As a freshman at The Woodlands College Park High School, football wasn’t even his focus. His heart was set on basketball. He shared the court with future NBA star and current Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes during their time at College Park. The idea of chasing hoops seemed far more tangible then.
But life had other plans. After his freshman year, Phoenix transferred to Conroe High School and decided to give football another try. The switch didn’t come with instant stardom. He joined the football team two games into the season and was placed on defense, still trying to find his place on the field.
It wasn’t until his junior year that things started to change. That’s when Phoenix linked up with Head Coach and Athletic Director Cedric Hardeman, who immediately saw potential that others had missed.
“Michael Phoenix II is a dog simple as that,” Hardeman said. “He’s relentless, driven, and brings unmatched intensity to the field. But beyond his athletic ability, Michael is an exceptional student, a selfless teammate, and an outstanding young man. It was truly a pleasure to coach him.”
Despite a strong junior and senior campaign, Phoenix remained underrecruited out of high school. With limited offers and little attention from college programs, he chose to attend Texas A&M-Commerce — not for football, but simply as a student. The dream wasn’t dead, but it was certainly on pause.
That pause didn’t last long. After a year at A&M-Commerce, Phoenix moved back home to Conroe and took a shot at rekindling his basketball aspirations. He began traveling to San Antonio every weekend to play in tournaments, all while working the graveyard shift to support himself. The grind was intense, physically and mentally. But something kept pulling him back to the gridiron.
He started hearing from former high school teammates that Kilgore College, a junior college with a respected football program, was interested. Still young, hungry, and far from finished, Phoenix took a leap of faith and joined the team.
It turned out to be the best decision of his athletic career.
His second season at Kilgore was a breakout. Phoenix posted 43 catches for 731 yards and nine touchdowns. He wasn’t just playing football again, he was dominating. College scouts started taking notice. His big-play ability, precise route running, and toughness made him a standout in the JUCO ranks.
For Phoenix, though, it was more than just football. It was family. His uncle, Xavier Webb, had played at Rice University, and Phoenix had always dreamed of following in his footsteps and playing Division I football. That dream was now within reach.
When Sam Houston State came calling, Phoenix didn’t hesitate. The transition from junior college to Division I could be jarring for many players, but not for him. If anything, it felt like a reward for all the late nights, long drives, and overlooked seasons.
Kilgore didn’t offer the state-of-the-art facilities or resources. For Phoenix, being part of a fully funded, championship-caliber program meant everything. He soaked it all in and then went to work.
In his first season with the Bearkats, Phoenix made an immediate impact. The team went 10–3, and Phoenix emerged not just as a reliable receiver but as a natural leader. Coaches praised his focus, his consistency, and his quiet confidence.
Then came the history-making moment: Sam Houston’s first-ever bowl victory.
The win was more than just a game. It was a milestone for the program and a personal triumph for a player who had spent much of his career being underestimated.
“No matter what I do in my life, I will always be a part of Sam Houston football history,” Phoenix said.
That legacy isn’t just written in touchdowns or stat sheets. It’s written in the grit that carried him from overlooked recruit to Division I standout. It’s in the relationships he’s built, the teammates he’s uplifted, and the coaches who now sing his praises. It’s in every moment he refused to quit—even when it would have been easy to.
Michael Phoenix II’s story is a reminder that the journey matters just as much as the destination. He may not have started as a star, but he never stopped believing he could become one. And now, under the lights at Sam Houston, the world is finally seeing what he’s known all along: he belongs on this stage.
