Utah cornerback Clark Phillips shocked everybody by committing to the Utes out of highschool. In any case, Phillips was thought-about a lock for Ohio State after spending six months dedicated to the Buckeyes.
A four-star prospect, Phillips was thought-about one of many prime cornerbacks getting into faculty soccer. And it didn’t take lengthy for Phillips to make his presence felt at Utah, changing into an instantaneous starter as a real freshman in 2020.
Phillips accomplished his collegiate profession in 2022 by being named PAC-12 defensive participant of the yr and a unanimous All-American. He then entered his identify into the 2023 NFL draft.
On the NFL mix in March, Phillips measured in at 5-foot-9 and 184 kilos whereas being timed at 4.51 seconds within the 40-yard sprint. After all, with so many centered on size and velocity, Phillips wasn’t receiving the identical kind of reward as others in a deep cornerback class.
However the NFL is paying consideration.
Phillips is an impressive participant, who can play outdoors or transfer inside to cowl the slot. He’s powerful and aggressive with a excessive soccer IQ, that means he’ll assist somebody instantly.
May that somebody be the Washington Commanders?
The Commanders have a necessity at cornerback, and Ryan Fowler of The Draft Community just lately profiled Phillips, naming Washington as considered one of Phillips’ greatest potential suits on the subsequent stage.
Because it stands at present, Kendall Fuller is CB1a reverse Benjamin St-Juste. Whether or not Washington desires him to proceed to stay outdoors, slide into nickel (the place he’s been greatest in his profession), or do some little bit of each, Phillips can match that position as properly and play off of Fuller wherever he isn’t. He would offer one other younger alpha inside a secondary flooded with youth-infused athletes.
Phillips isn’t going within the first spherical, which might permit Washington to deal with one other place, just like the offensive line, and nonetheless land a future starter at cornerback. Will Phillips go within the second spherical or fall to the third spherical?
One factor is definite; he’ll go someday on day two. Phillips could be a welcome addition for the Commanders who love “place flex.” Phillips gives that at cornerback and at a excessive stage.