Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III is the newest defensive again from the Utes program to be an NFL draft choose. Rick Bowmer, Related Press
Clark Phillips III made life troublesome for opposing quarterbacks all through his three seasons on the College of Utah.
Now, he’ll get the possibility to do this with the Atlanta Falcons, who chosen Phillips within the fourth spherical (No. 113 total choose) of the 2023 NFL draft on Saturday.
He was rated as the most effective gamers obtainable heading into the draft’s ultimate day.
The 5-foot-9, 184-pound Phillips entered Utah as this system’s highest rated recruit at school historical past.
He lived as much as that hype over the following three seasons, capped by a 2022 season the place Phillips was a unanimous All-American and The Related Press Pac-12 Defensive Participant of the Yr.
Phillips began all 31 video games he performed at Utah and completed his Utes profession with 112 tackles, 30 move deflections, 9 interceptions, two pressured fumbles, one fumble restoration, 5 tackles for loss and one sack.
He returned a school-record-tying 4 of his interceptions for touchdowns.
Through the 2022 season, Phillips picked off six passes and had 12 move breakups, a season that helped enhance his draft inventory.
He's the seventeenth Utah defensive again drafted because the flip of the century.
There are at the moment 5 different former Utah secondary gamers within the NFL, amongst them fellow cornerback Jaylon Johnson (Chicago) and safeties Marcus Williams (Baltimore), Eric Rowe (Carolina), Julian Blackmon (Indianapolis) and Terrell Burgess (New York Giants). Security Marquise Blair is at the moment a free agent.
What consultants mentioned about Clark Phillips III
“Phillips won't be a giant, lengthy cornerback, however he’s a playmaker. He has the play traits to proceed down that very same path as a professional. He’s a voracious pupil of the sport and has developed a really feel for studying the quarterback’s drops and eyes,” — NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.
“Phillips doesn’t have elite measurement or velocity and must restrict the massive performs allowed, however his read-react athleticism, aggressive instincts and ball expertise will translate effectively to NFL protection. He has the ability set of a playmaking nickel able to seeing exterior reps as effectively. — The Athletic’s Dane Brugler.
“Clark Phillips III is a small, twitchy, very cerebral and sticky CB prospect. He’s at all times across the soccer, and his suddenness is bordering on elite. He performs aggressive, on a regular basis,” — CBS Sports activities scouting report.
What consultants mentioned in regards to the choice
“Good choose by the Falcons on Day 3. Atlanta wanted so as to add a cornerback sooner or later through the draft and by including an All-American within the fourth spherical, that’ll be value taking an opportunity. Phillips will probably have the possibility to return alongside slowly as Atlanta has each Mike Hughes and Dee Alford as choices within the slot and at 5-foot-9, that could possibly be his future.” — ESPN’s Michael Rothstein.
“Terrific worth for a participant we thought ought to go 30-40 picks earlier. Phillips is an elite competitor with subpar measurement who stood tall amid huge expectations getting into final season. He is likely to be a slot nook, however Phillips could possibly be a standout in that function.” — Eric Edholm, NFL.com.
Nice choose by Falcons, grabbing Clark Phillips. Not the most important DB however a brilliant sensible, fast, play-making nook. Could possibly be a very good coach down the street. Utes staff--and everybody else who recruited him LOVED him. https://t.co/Mom2oz2Hc2
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) April 29, 2023
Utah defensive backs beforehand taken within the NFL draft, previous 25 years
Yr — Participant, Pos., Spherical, Decide No., Crew
2020 — Jaylon Johnson, CB, Spherical 2, No. 50, Chicago Bears.
2020 — Julian Blackmon, S, Spherical 3, No. 85, Indianapolis Colts.
2020 — Terrell Burgess, S, Spherical 3, No. 104, Los Angeles Rams.
2019 — Marquise Blair, S, Spherical 2, No. 47, Seattle Seahawks.
2017 — Marcus Williams, S, Spherical 2, No. 42, New Orleans Saints.
2017 — Brian Allen, CB, Spherical 5, No. 173, Pittsburgh Steelers.
2015 — Eric Rowe, CB/S, Spherical 2, No. 47, Philadelphia Eagles.
2014 — Keith McGill, S, Spherical 4, No. 116, Oakland Raiders.
2011 — Brandon Burton, CB, Spherical 5, No. 139, Minnesota Vikings.
2010 — Robert Johnson, S, Spherical 5, No. 166, Tennessee Titans.
2010 — R.J. Stanford, CB, Spherical 7, No. 223, Carolina Panthers.
2009 — Sean Smith, CB, Spherical 2, No. 61, Miami Dolphins.
2009 — Brice McCain, CB, Spherical 6, No. 188, Houston Texans.
2007 — Eric Weddle, S, Spherical 2, No. 37, San Diego Chargers.
2003 — Antwoine Sanders, S, Spherical 7, No. 258, Baltimore Ravens.
2001 — Andre Dyson, CB, Spherical 2, No. 60, Tennessee Titans.