Phillip Dorsett Bio
Phillip Howard Dorsett II is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League. Born on January 5, 1993, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Dorsett has built a decade-long NFL career spanning multiple teams since being drafted in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. He played college football at the University of Miami and was selected 29th overall by the Indianapolis Colts. Dorsett won a Super Bowl championship with the New England Patriots in the 2018 season and has established himself as a versatile offensive weapon throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Dorsett grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School. At St. Thomas Aquinas, he excelled as a two-sport athlete in both football and track and field. Under coach George Smith, Dorsett played wide receiver and developed into a highly productive player, recording 35 receptions for 806 yards and 12 touchdowns during his senior season. His outstanding performance helped lead the team to an undefeated season and a Florida 5A football championship, while also finishing first in the Powerade Fab 50 ESPN Rise national poll. He also returned four kicks for touchdowns during his high school career.
In track and field, Dorsett was one of Florida’s top performers in sprinting and jumping events. He posted personal-best marks of 7.55 meters in the long jump and 14.59 meters in the triple jump at the 2011 Louie Bing Classic. In sprints, he placed second in the 100 meters with a time of 10.51 seconds and third in the 200 meters at 21.26 seconds at the 2011 FHSAA District Meet. His athleticism was further demonstrated by a 4.4-second 40-yard dash and a 36.5-inch vertical jump at the Under Armour Combine, which would serve him well in his future football career.
Path to Professional Football
Dorsett was rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and was ranked as the 45th prospect at his position by ESPNU. Despite receiving scholarship offers from major programs including Florida, Ohio State, North Carolina, and Georgia, he chose to commit to the University of Miami to play college football for the Miami Hurricanes. His decision to stay in Florida marked the beginning of his journey toward professional football.
At Miami, Dorsett developed into a dynamic receiving threat over four seasons from 2011 to 2014. He appeared in 12 games as a true freshman, recording 14 receptions for 147 yards and one touchdown. His sophomore year showed significant improvement, as he started 10 of 12 games and led the team with 58 receptions for 842 yards and four touchdowns. A knee injury limited him to just seven games during his junior season, but he bounced back with a strong senior year, starting all 13 games and recording 36 receptions for 871 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also continued to compete in track, posting the fourth-fastest time in the 60-meter dash at Miami with a mark of 6.80 seconds. Dorsett finished his college career with 121 receptions for 2,132 yards and 17 touchdowns, earning Second-team All-ACC honors in 2014.
Phillip Dorsett Career
Indianapolis Colts (2015–2016)
Dorsett was selected 29th overall in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. The selection surprised many analysts given the team’s existing depth at wide receiver, which included Andre Johnson and Duron Carter. Dorsett signed a four-year contract with the Colts on May 27, 2015. During his rookie season, he appeared in 11 games with zero starts, recording 18 receptions for 225 yards and one touchdown. His first NFL touchdown came in Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans on a 35-yard reception from quarterback Andrew Luck.
The 2016 season saw Dorsett take on a larger role, appearing in 15 games with seven starts. He recorded 33 receptions for 528 yards and two touchdowns. Notable performances included a season-opening game against the Detroit Lions where he caught four passes for 94 yards, and a career-long 64-yard touchdown reception against the Jacksonville Jaguars. His second touchdown of the season came on a 50-yard pass from Andrew Luck in Week 15 against the Minnesota Vikings.
New England Patriots Era (2017–2019)
On September 2, 2017, Dorsett was traded to the New England Patriots in exchange for quarterback Jacoby Brissett. This move proved significant for his career trajectory. In his first season with the Patriots, Dorsett appeared in 15 games with limited playing time, recording 12 receptions for 194 yards. Despite his limited targets, he made a memorable contribution in the playoffs, catching a 31-yard pass on a flea-flicker from Tom Brady in the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, helping the Patriots advance to Super Bowl LII. Although the Patriots lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, Dorsett recorded one catch for 19 yards in the Super Bowl.
The 2018 season brought more opportunities for Dorsett in New England. He finished the regular season with 32 catches for 290 yards and three touchdowns. His playoff performance was exceptional, recording touchdowns in both the divisional round against the Los Angeles Chargers and the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII to win the championship, giving Dorsett his first Super Bowl ring. In 2019, Dorsett re-signed with the Patriots on a one-year contract and continued to contribute, finishing the season with 29 receptions for 397 yards and five touchdowns. His standout performance came in the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he caught four passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns.
Seattle Seahawks, Jaguars, and Texans (2020–2022)
On March 30, 2020, Dorsett signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks. His tenure was interrupted by injury, as he was placed on injured reserve on September 22, 2020, after missing the first two games due to a foot injury. In 2021, Dorsett joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in March but was released during final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad. He was released again in late September before signing with the Seattle Seahawks practice squad on September 29, 2021.
Dorsett’s journey continued when he was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad on December 4, 2021, and promoted to the active roster on December 11. He signed a contract extension with the Texans on December 15 that ran through the 2022 season. Playing for three different teams during the 2021 season, Dorsett recorded seven receptions for 110 yards in six games. In 2022, he appeared in 15 games with four starts, recording 20 receptions for 257 yards and one touchdown.
Las Vegas Raiders and Recent Seasons (2023–Present)
Dorsett signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on March 16, 2023, but was released during final roster cuts in August. He was then signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad on August 31, 2023. He signed a reserve/future contract with Denver in January 2024 but was released and re-signed in May before being released again in August. On October 22, 2024, Dorsett joined the Atlanta Falcons practice squad and signed a reserve/future contract in January 2025. He was released by the Falcons on May 12, 2025. Dorsett returned to the Las Vegas Raiders on July 22, 2025, and after being released in August, was re-signed to the practice squad on September 5, 2025, before signing another reserve/future contract in January 2026.
Playing Style and Strengths
Dorsett is known for his speed and explosiveness, attributes he demonstrated through his track achievements at both high school and college. His 4.4-second 40-yard dash time showcases his ability to stretch the field vertically. He has shown versatility as both a receiver and returner throughout his career, capable of making big plays from various offensive formations. His experience playing for multiple teams has allowed him to adapt to different offensive systems and quarterback styles.
Phillip Dorsett Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Dorsett has accumulated 151 receptions for 2,001 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns across 12 seasons. His most successful stretch came during his tenure with the New England Patriots from 2017 to 2019, where he played a role in the team’s championship run. His career statistics span regular season and playoff performances across nine different franchises.
New England Patriots Highlights
Dorsett’s time with the Patriots represented his most prominent career achievements. His contributions during the 2018 championship season included key playoff receptions that helped the team advance through the postseason. He recorded multiple touchdowns in the Patriots’ first two playoff games that year and earned a Super Bowl ring when New England defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. His overall production with the Patriots included 73 receptions for 881 yards and eight touchdowns across three seasons.
Other Career Highlights
Beyond his Patriots tenure, Dorsett has shown flashes of his abilities at each stop in his career. His career-long 64-yard touchdown reception came during his time with the Indianapolis Colts in 2016. He has demonstrated the capacity to make significant contributions in limited opportunities, including his Week 1 performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 where he led the Patriots in receiving yards and touchdowns. His durability and ability to remain on NFL rosters for over a decade speaks to his reliability as a professional player.
| Career Statistics | Regular Season |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 151 |
| Receiving Yards | 2,001 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 12 |
Phillip Dorsett Family
Family Background
Phillip Howard Dorsett II was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to parents Phillip Dorsett Sr. and Tonette. His family has provided support throughout his football career, from his early days at St. Thomas Aquinas High School through his professional career. Details about extended family members and racing lineage are not extensively documented in public sources.
Personal Life
Dorsett maintains a professional approach to his career, having played for nine different NFL teams over twelve seasons. His ability to adapt to new environments and teammates has been a consistent characteristic throughout his professional journey. Information about his marital status, spouse, or children is not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks another chapter in Dorsett’s journeyman career with his return to the Las Vegas Raiders. After joining the team in July 2025, he was released during roster cuts in August before being re-signed to the practice squad on September 5, 2025. This pattern of moving between active rosters and practice squads has characterized much of his recent career, reflecting both the competitive nature of the NFL wide receiver position and his value as an experienced depth player. Dorsett signed a reserve/future contract with Las Vegas in January 2026, indicating the Raiders view him as part of their future plans. His experience and speed continue to make him a potential weapon for teams seeking receiving depth, and his professionalism in handling multiple roster transactions has kept him employed in the league for over a decade.