Clark Phillips:
Scouting Reports:
SI Draft Bible: https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/clarkphillipsiii
NFL Draft Buzz: https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Clark-PhillipsIII-CB-Utah
Draft Network: https://thedraftnetwork.com/sr-prospect/clark-phillips-iii-ef26ff30-0c97-4bc8-b818-fb67a9bfde58/
Fantasy Pro: https://www.fantasypros.com/2023/02/2023-nfl-draft-scouting-report-clark-phillips-iii-cb-utah/
Articles:
Pete Prisco's 2023 NFL Draft Better-Than Team (Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah - He is 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, and he didn't run under 4.5, which is why some see him as third-day player. I think whoever gets him will be getting a competitive corner who held up in the Pac-12 with his ability to play man and lock onto receivers. He is a prototypical nickel corner who will make up for lack of size and speed with his coverage skills and techniques and competitive nature. Sometimes guys are just good football players. Phillips is one of those guys, despite his limitations. Think Mike Hilton of the Bengals. That's Phillips.) (4-27-28): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/better-than-team-for-2023-nfl-draft-here-are-the-prospects-pete-prisco-likes-more-than-scouts-do/
6 NFL draft prospects who are sliding down big boards (and could be massive bargains) (4. Clark Phillips III: It’s not difficult to understand why Phillips’ stock has dropped. The calendar has pushed evaluators away from his very good play on gamedays and toward his mostly bad numbers in workouts. His combine was … not ideal. Phillips wasn’t especially explosive and at 5-foot-9 is one of the smaller cornerbacks in his class. That’s a problem if you’re drafting him to shadow bigger wideouts along the sideline. But that’s not what anyone is going to be drafting him for, because Clark Phillips is here to make sure no one’s catching anything from the slot. 2022 marked the first season Phillips played more than 22.5 percent of his snaps as a slot corner. He tripled his career interception total that fall, fine tuning the ball skills that had led to 13 pass breakups the year prior. He can also do work in space; here he is mostly limiting Jordan Addison’s production to short targets and gadget plays when Utah faced USC last fall. Phillips might not be a guy you trust on an island full time, but he’s capable of tracking shifty wideouts across the field and sticking to their hip pockets. His measurables don’t measure up to his on-field impact. Someone’s gonna get a player who can have an instant impact in a top 10 secondary on Day 2.) (4-27-23): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-draft-6-bargains-stock-watch-kelee-ringo-andre-carter
2023 NFL Draft sleepers: Rob Rang's 10 favorite Day 2 and 3 prospects (Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: While on the topic of speedy playmakers from this class who I think can overcome their lack of ideal size, let's shift to Phillips, arguably the best pure man-to-man cover corner in the 2023 draft. This former four-star recruit out of the football-rich community of Orange County in California flirted with Alabama, Georgia and Texas and actually had plans to play at Ohio State until then-defensive backs coach Jeff Hadley left to take over as head coach at Boston College, causing Phillips to switch on signing day to Utah, giving its head coach Kyle Whittingham the most celebrated recruit in program history. What I love about Phillips, though, is how completely he justified all of the hype, starting all 31 games of his career and emerging as the most feared ballhawk in the PAC-12 by 2022, leading the pass-happy conference with six interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. At just 5-foot-9 and 183 pounds, Phillips isn't imposing but he's cat-quick, hyper-aware and packs the punch of a bigger man, showing the scrappiness and playmaking chops that I think will make this likely Day Two pick ultimately outperform some of the cornerbacks selected ahead of him.) (4-26-23): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2023-nfl-draft-sleepers-rob-rangs-10-favorite-day-2-and-3-prospects
The Lions have already overhauled their secondary. More help is coming this week (If there’s anything we already know about what the Lions like in a defensive back, it’s ball skills. That’s what turned them on to safety Kerby Joseph in the first place last offseason, and it’s a big reason why they prized Sutton in free agency. In this draft, no one has ball skills quite like Clark Phillips III, who picked off six passes last year at Utah, while not dropping any. He allowed a 68.4 quarterback rating overall.) (4-26-23): https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/04/lions-seem-destined-to-draft-cornerback-even-if-its-not-devon-witherspoon.html
2023 NFL Draft: Jon Macri's favorite prospects from the class (CB Clark Phillips Iii, Utah (Big board rank: 62, PFF projection: Third round, I would draft: Second round): For a player with size concerns, it’s very possible that Phillips is delegated to more of a slot role in the NFL, but considering that nickel personnel is the most common defensive deployment in the league, there’s going to be a significant role for Phillips there if he can win a starting job. Over the past two seasons, Phillips has posted some of the best stable metrics among corners in this class, including the second-best coverage grade in single coverage (85.6), and the fifth-best overall coverage grade (89.6). According to the PFF Draft Guide, Phillips scored very highly in his change of direction ability, as well as awareness and physicality, which are key attributes to succeed in the slot. Combined with his ability to jump routes and strong coverage metrics, Phillips dropping into zones in the middle of the field could be a big factor in allowing his college ball production to translate to the NFL.) (4-26-23): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-jon-macris-favorite-prospects-from-the-class
Ryan Fowler’s ‘My Guys’ For 2023 NFL Draft: Defense (Clark Phillips III (Utah) - I can’t say enough good things about his game. Smart, tough as you know what, technically refined, inside/out versatility, it’s a shame he’ll slide down draft boards because he doesn’t meet typical size thresholds. He’s a flat-out stud that I would pound the table for if I was an NFL GM.) (4-25-23): https://thedraftnetwork.com/2023-nfl-draft-defense-my-guys-fowler/
NFL draft CB preview: 2 could go top 10 for fourth straight year (There is no consensus on the No. 3 cornerback in the draft, and several others have a chance to go in Round 1. Porter is the son of ex-NFL star Joey Porter, Mississippi State’s Emmanuel Forbes returned six interceptions for touchdowns in his three seasons, and he and Maryland’s Deonte Banks ran 4.35-second 40s at the NFL combine. Turner, the fastest cornerback at the combine (4.26 seconds), should come off the board early on Day 2, Kansas State’s Julius Brents has incredible length for the position, Miami’s Tyrique Stevenson is a physical press-man corner while Utah’s Clark Phillips III projects as a slot defender.) (4-23-23): https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2023/04/23/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-cornerbacks-2023-rankings-devon-witherspoon/70143298007/
The 2023 NFL Draft Class' Best at Everything: The top performers in 100 PFF premium stats (Best DB by Route - Out: Clark Phillips III, Utah. Phillips recorded an interception and a coverage stop on nine targets against out routes in 2022. Hitch: Clark Phillips III, Utah. On nine targets on hitch routes, Phillips picked off four passes.) (4-20-23): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-class-best-at-everything-100-premium-stats
Clark Phillips III NFL Draft 2023 Prospect Interview (4-19-23): https://thedraftnetwork.com/clark-phillips-iii-nfl-draft-2023-interview/
2023 NFL Draft cornerback rankings: Christian Gonzalez the best of a talented group (9. Clark Phillips III, Utah, 5-9, 184, Redshirt Sophomore - Overview: A celebrated four-star recruit out of Los Angeles, Phillips initially signed with Ohio State but backpedaled from the Buckeyes when their defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Jeff Hafley left to take over as head coach at Boston College, ultimately joining Utah as the top-rated prep of the Kyle Whittingham era. Phillips immediately and consistently proved worthy of this hype, however, starting all five games of the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign that was his first season in Salt Lake City and every remaining one of his brief career before making a very early jump to the NFL. He proved to be a playmaker from the outset, scoring on a 36-yard interception return to cap his true freshman season and emerging as the conference’s biggest playmaker in the secondary over the past two years, recording an eye-popping 27 pass breakups and eight interceptions during that time, leading the PAC-12 with six picks in 2022. Strengths: A cat-quick cover corner who combines excellent burst, change-of-direction skills and instincts for the position, Phillips has terrorized the PAC-12 the past three seasons, returning at least one interception for a score each year and leading the conference with six picks in 2022. He is short but not small with a compact, well-developed frame that epitomizes his surprisingly intense style of play. Phillips is extremely competitive, including in the weight room, where he quietly led all cornerbacks with 18 bench-press repetitions at the Combine and plays with bravado in coverage, as well, taking chances to undercut routes, while also punching above his weight class in run support and as a tackler, overall. He was voted a team captain and the Utah coaches, teammates and press rave about him. Concerns: Phillips comes with obvious size concerns and will be viewed by some clubs as strictly a nickel candidate. Height isn’t the only issue, as his 29 1/8 arms and 9 1/8 hands are some of the shortest and smallest of the class. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, Phillips might be a better football player than athlete, showing less explosiveness (33" vertical jump) and quickness (4.23 3cone) than his tape would suggest. Bottom Line: I get the skepticism with Phillips. He has a tiny frame that suggests he is going to struggle with durability. Well, he sure didn’t at Utah, starting all 31 games of his college career for arguably the most physical program in the conference. Don’t be surprised at all if teams bypass the slighter Phillips for more prototypically built defenders and he falls outside of the Top 10 cornerbacks a few weeks from now. Don’t be surprised, either, if he ultimately proves to be a steal. Grade: Second round) (4-19-23): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2023-nfl-draft-cornerback-rankings-christian-gonzalez-the-best-of-a-talented-group
Lions to host Utah CB Clark Phillips on a pre-draft visit (4-17-23): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2023/04/17/detroit-lions-pre-draft-top-30-visit-clark-phillips-utah-draft-prospect/
Lions reportedly hosting ball-hawking Utah cornerback on pre-draft visit (4-17-23): https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/04/lions-reportedly-hosting-ball-hawking-utah-cornerback-on-pre-draft-visit.html
2023 NFL Draft Rankings: Sam Monson’s top 20 cornerbacks, including Joey Porter Jr. at No. 2 (8. Clark Phillips III, Utah - Clark Phillips III may not have elite measurables, but he is a quick-twitch player and very good at sticking with receivers horizontally and over the middle. He has an eye for the football, as well, recording eight interceptions and 13 pass breakups over the past two seasons.) (4-13-23): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-cornerback-rankings-sam-monson-devon-witherspoon-joey-porter-jr
2023 NFL Draft: Trevor Sikkema's top 5 players at each defensive position (5. Clark Phillips III: Phillips is one of the players who I’m betting on to succeed in the NFL despite his size limitations. His 5-foot-9 height and 29 1/4-inch arms mean he’s likely going to have to find a home in the slot, but he still has some of the best instincts in the class, especially when it comes to making plays on the ball.) (4-13-23): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-top-five-players-defense-2023-nfl-draft-sikkema
What Are Clark Phillips III’s 4 Best NFL Team Fits? (4-12-23): https://thedraftnetwork.com/clark-phillips-nfl-draft-cardinals-commanders-texans-rams/
2023 NFL Draft: Undersized prospects poised to break the mold (CB CLARK PHILLIPS III, UTAH: Entering the season, many were excited about Utah’s Clark Phillips III finally being draft eligible. I say finally because he has been starting since Week 1 of his true freshman season, which is incredibly difficult to do at the cornerback position. He recorded coverage grades of 66.0 and 76.4 in his first two seasons, before putting up an 86.3 mark in 2022. He grabbed six interceptions this past year, including three in one game. He brings the ball-hawking instincts and overall playmaking attitude you love to see at the position. What makes Phillips a mold breaker is his size. He’s just 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds, which rank in the 7th and 16th percentiles, respectively. He also has just 29 1/8-inch arms, which is in the 1st percentile. His measurables tell you he should be a slot cornerback, but that’s not what his tape says, as he lined up on the outside for more than 1,400 snaps as opposed to just 400 in the slot. He’s a lot like Asante Samuel Jr. in that regard. ) (4-7-23): https://www.pff.com/news/2023-nfl-draft-undersized-prospects-bryce-young-peter-skoronski
2023 NFL Draft: The top 11 cornerbacks (7. Clark Phillips III, Utah (Height: 5″9′ (7th percentile) Weight: 184 (16th), 40-Yard Dash: 4.51 (44th), 10-Yard Split: 1.51 (74th), Bench Press: 18 reps (81st), Vertical Jump: 33″ (13th), 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.32 (17th), Arm Length: 29⅛” (1st), Hand Size: 9⅛” (47th)) - Bio: A four-star recruit out of La Habra High School in Orange County, California, Phillips chose to attach his name to a Utah program that has put out more than its share of fine NFL defensive backs in the last few years. He started at right cornerback in all five games of Utah’s COVID-shortened 2020 season, and remained a plus starter outside and in the slot throughout his collegiate career. Over three seasons with the Utes, Phillips had one sack, five pressures, 107 tackles, 39 stops, and he allowed 114 catches on 178 targets for 1,362 yards, 557 yards after the catch, seven touchdowns, nine interceptions, 14 pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 79.4. Phillips played 1,364 snaps at outside cornerback, 424 in the slot, 87 in the box, seven along the defensive line, and three at free safety. Stat to Know: Some analysts refer to Phillips as a mostly zone cornerback — maybe it’s the size — but in man coverage for the 2022 season, he allowed just 11 catches on 28 targets for 145 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. Strengths: Smith also works well on an island. When in Cover-1 and Cover-3 last season, he led the nation in interceptions with five, allowing 15 catches on 29 targets for 156 yards, and one touchdown. The footwork, transition skills, and closure to the ball make him an ideal cornerback to own a third of the field without help. And this red zone defense of a pass from USC’s Caleb Williams to receiver Jordan Addison (one of the best receivers in this class) shows how well he moves from Point A to Point B and tracks the ball from there. Weaknesses: Because of his size, Phillips really does need to establish ideal position against his receiver; if you are able to gain that geometric advantage, Phillips doesn’t always have the wingspan to match up. Conclusion: Phillips’ size will have some teams dropping him on their boards or taking him off altogether, but for teams who have a more open-minded approach could be rewarded with a technician in the slot, and especially outside. It’s not impossible for him to succeed in the NFL; his coaches will just have to understand what he does well, and put him in positions where the measurables don’t matter. NFL Comparison: Mike Hilton. An undrafted free agent out of Mississippi, Hilton got on with the Steelers, and has been an impact cornerback for Pittsburgh and the Bengals throughout his six-year career. He’s not the most imposing guy at 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds, but Hilton proves that you can succeed in the NFL without that stature if you’re a student of the game, and that transfers to the field in positive ways. Phillips profiles very much the same way.) (4-1-23): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-cornerbacks-devon-witherspoon-christian-gonzalez/
2023 NFL Draft: Favorite Day 2 player at each position (CORNERBACK: CLARK PHILLIPS III, UTAH - Phillips is smaller (5-foot-9) with short arms (29 1/8 inches). Now that we have that out of the way, we can talk about how good he was this past season (and, really, for his entire Utah career). Phillips started as a true freshman in 2020 (very impressive thing to do as a cornerback) and never looked back, starting 31 out of 31 games in his college career. He earned an 89.9 coverage grade this past season with six interceptions. He’s a ball hawk-type player who approaches the position with confidence and a chip on his shoulder. He played primarily on the outside (only 438 snaps in the slot compared to 1,409 on the outside), so a projected full-time slot role will require an adjustment period. But he has the mentality you bet on at the position.) (4-1-23): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-favorite-day-2-player-each-position
2023 NFL draft big board: Cornerbacks (7. Clark Phillips, Utah: Elite quickness and confident aggression with the ball in the air define Phillips. He’s short but not small at 5-9 and 184 pounds. Optimal slot corner in a zone-heavy scheme. Projection: 2nd-early 3rd round) (3-24-23): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-big-board-cornerbacks-positional-ranking/
2023 NFL Draft: Defensive back prospect superlatives (BEST ZONE CORNERBACK: CLARK PHILLIPS III, UTAH - Phillips may not tick all the physical boxes you want from an NFL cornerback, but there are two distinct facets of cornerback play where he’s as good as it gets in the draft class: his ability to read through receivers to the quarterback, and his ability to work back downhill from off-coverage. Those two skills translate to ball production, as Phillips picked off three passes in zone coverage last season.) (3-24-23): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-defensive-back-prospect-superlatives-2023-nfl-draft
NFL Draft 2023: Fowler’s Top 10 CB Big Board (8. Clark Phillips III, Utah: He may be matchup-specific due to his size at 5-foot-9, but what he lacks in verticality he makes up for in his intelligence and physicality—and he is tough as you know what. He’s a player I’d take on my football team any day of the week, and it’s a shame some teams may turn their head because he doesn’t fit the “mold” of a CB1. I love the way Phillips III plays the game.) (3-20-23): https://thedraftnetwork.com/nfl-draft-2023-cb-big-board-fowler/
2023 NFL Draft rankings: The top-15 CBs in this year’s class (Tier 4 — Day 2 fits. Clark Phillips III (Utah), 5-foot-9, 184 pounds: Despite lacking the desired height and length many teams are looking for, Phillips punches well above his weight class. His testing did him no favors, and I’d expect him to slide a bit in the draft, but some lucky team is going to get a very good football player for a steal if that happens. Phillips has elite ball skills for the position and thrives in man-coverage. How he fits: Play-making slot corner that can play on the outside in a pinch. Round grade: Third round) (3-18-23): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/3/18/23630400/2023-nfl-draft-rankings-top-15-cornerbacks-detroit-lions-devon-witherspoon-christian-gonzalez
NFL Combine Winners and Losers (Losers - Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: Phillips (no relation) measured in at 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds, much smaller than he plays. With that lack of size he needed to show big-time athleticism. That didn't really happen. He turned in a 4.51-second 40, a 33-inch vertical jump and a 4.32-second 20-yard shuttle. His 18 bench press reps were solid for a cornerback but the rest was disappointing from a player whose film I really like.) (3-6-23): https://www.thebiglead.com/posts/nfl-combine-winners-losers-list-draft-01gtj41a1vth
NFL combine winners, losers: Who helped their cause in draft? (Winners - 5. Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: Phillips' coverage credentials are solid, as evidenced by his six interceptions last season and his smooth showing during combine drills. But a 5-9, 184-pound corner with short arms and 4.51-second speed in the 40-yard dash is likely to get pigeonholed as a nickel only. That doesn't mean that Phillips can't be a quality contributor as a pro. But the measurements might put a cap on his draft outlook and provide the opportunity for several of the rangier, faster cornerbacks to leapfrog him.) (3-6-23): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2023/03/06/nfl-combine-winners-losers-anthony-richardson-nolan-smith-2023/11410657002/
2023 NFL Scouting Combine: Stock up, stock down for every position (Stock Down: Clark Phillips Iii, Utah Utes: Phillips was one of the best ball hawks in the country this past season, as his six interceptions tied for the most among Power Five players. His testing wasn’t nearly as impressive as his tape, though. Phillips came in very undersized for the position at 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds. His vertical jump (33 inches) and 20-yard shuttle (4.32 seconds) were both below the 38th percentile for cornerbacks. He’ll likely hear his name called on Day 2.) (3-6-23): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-scouting-combine-stock-up-stock-down-every-position-nfl-draft
2023 NFL Combine Stock Report - Defensive Backs (Down - Clark Phillips, CB, Utah : Clark Phillips will be a slot-only cornerback in the NFL. He ran a slow 4.51 40 for his size (5-9, 184). He also had an underwhelming 33-inch vertical.)(3-4-23): https://walterfootball.com/combine2023stockDB.php
2023 NFL Combine Winners Day 2: It's (another) bumper crop of cornerback talent (7 One guy we're worried about: CB Clark Phillips III, Utah. We’re trying not to point out the negatives in what’s a glorified workout. Several players have bounced back from poor Combine showings en route to All-Pro seasons. But Phillips had already been sliding from “potential Day 1 pick” to “firm second round selection” before Friday’s drills. His performance in Indianapolis was concerning. While his acceleration off the line in the 40 was promising, just about everything else was a problem compared to the rest of his defensive back cohort. The cerebral cornerback always had production outstrip his measurables — he’s much better on the turf than on paper. He’ll have to hope NFL teams can see through his underwhelming workouts and focus in on the guy who had six interceptions in 2022 instead.) (3-3-23): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-combine-winners-day-2-its-another-bumper-crop-of-cornerback-talent
Stock up/down from NFL Scouting Combine Day 2 (Stock down - Clark Phillips III: Phillips measured just 5-foot-9 at the combine, with 29 1/8-inch arms. His dimensions could make it tough for a team to select him in the top 50. He looked quicker than fast in drills, which is good because he ran a very average 4.51-second 40 at 184 pounds. Phillips has fluid hips to transition easily but he was not able to cover a lot of ground during his workout and he occasionally lost his balance making cuts. He displayed the ball skills that helped him intercept six passes last season, but it's hard to project an early Day 2 draft selection based on his physical traits.) (3-3-23): https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-nfl-scouting-combine-stock-up-stock-down-day-2-oregon-s-christian-gonzalez-
NFL Combine results: 12 standouts from the cornerback group (Clark Phillips III, NB, Utah, 5-foot-9, 184, 4.51 (40). The height, weight, and speed combination says he is probably a nickel only in the NFL, but he is a Day 1 starter and looked tremendous in on-field drills. His balance kept him right on the line in drills, he gained speed quickly with fast feet and powerful steps, was solid in ball location, and had soft hands when securing the ball. Phillips was under control all day and should have solidified his stock early on Day 2.) (3-3-23): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/3/3/23623425/2023-nfl-combine-results-12-standouts-cornerback-winners-losers
Lions could find playmaking cornerbacks, depth outside NFL draft's first round (At the NFL Scouting Combine this week, two of the best playmakers from this draft class, Mississippi State's Emmanuel Forbes and Utah's Clark Phillips III fielded media questions from side-by-side podiums. Between them, they intercepted a dozen passes last season, both crediting their film-study habits as a key component to their success. Neither is being mentioned among the top three or four at the position, but each could sneak into the back end of the first round come April, particularly if they test well at the Combine and/or their pro day. But realistically, largely due to concerns with their size, both are likely Day-2 prospects. If Forbes gives off vibes of Slay, it's not a stretch to suggest Phillips could remind Lions fans of Quandre Diggs, another playmaking defensive back the team traded away during coach Matt Patricia's time with the franchise. Admittedly, that loose comparison is based more on the two players' size, and chip-on-the-shoulder demeanor, than their playing style. Phillips is listed at 5-foot-10, but that measurement hardly impacted his ability to get his hands on throws. Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee called him one of the best cornerbacks he faced in college. "He flipped his hips," McKee said. "Felt like he was able to disguise what he was going to do, and what the defense was doing, very well." Phillips also brings versatility. Primarily an outside corner, he'd line up a full game in the slot for some matchups. He said he'd have no reservations about being a nickel back at the next level, if that's what the team that drafts him feels is his best fit.) (3-3-23): https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2023/03/03/lions-could-find-playmaking-cornerbacks-depth-outside-nfl-drafts-first-round/69967446007/
All-22 from the scouting combine: Defensive backs detail their favorite plays (Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: When I asked Phillips to detail a play or two, he responded with more overall game insights, specifying his three-interception game in 2022 against Oregon State, but really discussing his performance against USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game, which Utah won, 47-24. “I feel like I put a lot of good stuff on film — it wasn’t a game where I blew the stat sheet out of the room, but it was a game where I was consistent. We played a myriad of coverages, from zone to man, and blitzes. It really fluctuated and really played to our strengths, and that’s something I was super, super grateful for.” Phillips had to deal with Trojans receiver Jordan Addison, and he did a lot to make Addison’s life difficult on this play with 12:14 left in the first half. USC had third-and-goal from the Utah three-yard line, and Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams tried to hit Addison outside to the left. Phillips was having none of that.) (3-2-23): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-scouting-comvine-christian-gonzalez-clark-phillips-jammie-robinson/
2023 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 25 Prospects Heading Into NFL Combine Include Jalen Carter, Brian Branch, and Bijan Robinson (25. Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: One of the biggest question marks against Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III is whether a sub-5’10” CB can play outside in the NFL. His plethora of accolades and tape over the past two seasons, in particular, suggest he can. The epitome of a “size of the fight in the dog” player, Phillips plays with speed and physicality beyond his diminutive stature.) (3-1-23): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-big-board-top-25-2023/
NFL Combine preview: 12 CBs the Lions should be watching (Clark Phillips III, CB/NB, Utah, 5-foot-10, 185: An inside/outside option with a nose for the football, Phillips understands what the offense is trying to accomplish and uses great instincts and intelligence to make plays. He’s comfortable playing in press and working through congestion, which is why he may end up being at his best in the slot at the next level. If the Lions miss on Branch, Phillips may be the next best option as a plug-and-play nickel.) (2-28-23): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/2/28/23615531/2023-nfl-combine-preview-12-cornerbacks-detroit-lions-watch
2023 NFL draft film room: Utah CB Clark Phillips III (2-13-23): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-clark-phillips-iii-utah-highlights/
Top 10 CBs in the 2023 NFL Draft: Devon Witherspoon, Clark Phillips III Easy to Bet On (4. Clark Phillips III, Utah: It says a lot that Clark Phillips III has some CB1 hype at 5’10”, 183 pounds, with below-average length. If he was a little bit bigger, we’d potentially be talking about him as the clear-cut top dog, much like his status as a unanimous All-American. Phillips’ lacking of length does detract slightly from his ultimate ceiling in the NFL. But he can be an elite slot DB early on with slot-boundary versatility and playmaking ability from all spots. His sticky coverage athleticism and high-level instincts are easy to bank on.) (12-20-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-10-cbs-in-the-2023-nfl-draft/
CFN’s College Football All-Americans 2022 (First-Team Defense - CB: Clark Phillips III, Utah) (12-6-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/cfn-college-football-all-americans-2022/
2022 All-Pac-12 College Football Team and Individual Honors (2022 All-Pac-12 College Football Team Honors - Player of the Year: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah. Defensive Player of the Year - Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah. Pac-12 Defense Honors - Cornerback of the Year: Clark Phillips III, Utah. First-Team All-Pac-12. Defense - CB: Clark Phillips III, Utah) (12-6-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/all-pac-12-college-football-team-and-individual-honors-2022/
Top 10 2023 NFL Draft prospects to watch during conference championship weekend (CB CLARK PHILLIPS III, UTAH: Opposite Addison will be Utah’s top cover cornerback, Clark Phillips III, who is currently 36th on PFF’s big board as CB7. Phillips is having a career year with an elite 90.2 grade in coverage thanks to allowing just 39 catches for less than 500 yards on the season. He also has three forced incompletions and six interceptions, tied for the most in the FBS. We selfishly hope to see him versus Addison on multiple occasions in the Pac-12 championship.) (12-1-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-top-10-2023-prospects-conference-championship-weekend-college-football
College Football: The top 15 NFL Draft prospects in Championship Week (7. Utah CB Clark Phillips III: Ballhawking cornerbacks have never held more value than in today's NFL, and there simply is not a better playmaker who will be potentially available at the position than Phillips, who has six interceptions this season — two of them returned for touchdowns. Better yet, Phillips isn't just enjoying a breakout campaign, he's a proven scoring threat, taking four of his nine career interceptions back for points. In the earlier regular season showdown with Jordan Addison and USC, Phillips showed proved that he is far from "just" a cover corner, racking up four solo tackles, including a sack. The Utes rarely receive the national respect of other programs for producing defensive backs, but they should, given that this 5-10, 190-pound lockdown corner may be a lock, himself, to be Utah's fifth DB selected among the top 50 since 2015.) (12-1-22): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/college-football-the-top-15-nfl-draft-prospects-in-championship-weekend
2022 PFF College All-Pac-12 Team: USC QB Caleb Williams, UCLA RB Zach Charbonnet and more (First Team - CB Clark Phillips III, Utah) (11-30-22): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-2022-pff-all-pac-12-team-usc-caleb-williams-ucla-zach-charbonnet
2023 NFL Draft Stock - Week 12 (Down - Clark Phillips, CB, Utah: Evaluators still have Phillips as an early-round prospect for the NFL, but they have been disappointed with his film this year compared to 2021. They feel Phillips has missed some tackles, and missed some particularly badly in space. Phillips has shown some stiffness, and he does not look like the same player as in 2021. Perhaps Phillips is protecting himself and trying to avoid injury, but being a 5-foot-9 cornerback presents limitations, and teams are only projecting him to serve as a slot cornerback.) (11-22-22): https://walterfootball.com/draft2023stock_12.php
2023 NFL Draft Prospects Watch Week 12: It’s Time To Talk About Jordan Travis as a Quality Quarterback Option (Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: Some prospects you want to watch because of their talent. Others feature in our 2023 NFL Draft prospects to watch articles because their matchup gives them the opportunity to maximize that talent, or test it on the national stage. For Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III, all the above apply as the Utes take on Oregon in a clash that will capture the national imagination with a place in the Pac-12 Championship on the line. Meanwhile, as one of the top cornerback prospects in the NFL draft, Phillips’ talent demands attention every week, but particularly, this week against a high-powered Oregon passing offense led by Bo Nix. While discussions around his draft stock are dominated by his diminutive stature, Phillips lets his play on the field do the talking. He’s competitive at the catch point, is an impressive athlete with fascinating fluidity, and is as intelligent as any cornerback in this class. Watch him go to work against Oregon this weekend with a free trial of fuboTV.) (11-19-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2023-nfl-draft-prospects-to-watch-cfb-week-12-2022/
Top 2023 NFL Draft Prospects: Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud Heads a Talented Class (23. Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: Utah hasn’t had a first-round cornerback since 1971, and there aren’t many 5’9″ defensive backs taken within the first 32 picks, either. Both facts are irrelevant when discussing Clark Phillips III as one of the premier cornerback prospects in the 2023 NFL draft. While he’s likely to be tabbed as “undersized,” the Utah playmaker boasts the physicality, football intelligence, ball skills, and athletic profile to be scheme-versatile and instantly impact anywhere in an NFL secondary — even on the boundary.) (10-27-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2023-nfl-draft-prospects/
2022 PFF Midseason College Football All-America Team (CORNERBACK: CLARK PHILLIPS III, UTAH UTES : Clark Phillips III possesses unbelievable ball skills. His five interceptions are tied for the most in the country, and all have come within the past four weeks. His 85.9 coverage grade proves he’s more than just the big plays, though. What makes this all the more impressive is the fact that Phillips routinely trails the opposition’s best receiver. ) (10-18-22): https://www.pff.com/news/college-footballl-2022-midseason-all-america-team
CFN’s College Football Midseason All-Americans 2022 (1st Team - CB Clark Phillips) (10-17-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/cfns-college-football-midseason-all-americans-2022/
College Football Week 7 Live Reactions, Results, and Takeaways (Another Junior Corner on His Way to the NFL? 8 p.m. — USC-Utah will kick off in a few minutes in what is a must-win situation for the Utes as they try and keep pace with the Trojans. Caleb Williams has the hot hand for USC since transferring from Oklahoma and is receiving a bit of Heisman consideration. It will be up to the Utah secondary to find a way to shut Williams down. That means keep an eye on Clark Phillips III, Utah’s shutdown corner. Earlier this week, people on the West Coast told me Phillips, a true junior, will enter the 2023 NFL Draft. One source on the West Coast told me Phillips is “definitely entering,” though I’m sure Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham will make a big push to keep the corner. Where will Phillips end up in the 2023 NFL Draft? While teams love his ball skills, his height — specifically lack of length — is a red flag. People tell me they would be surprised if Phillips measures 5-feet-10 inches and believe he’ll be in the 5-foot-9 range. That being the case, scouts tell me Phillips ends up as a late second/early third-round pick.) (10-15-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-week-7-live-reactions-results-and-takeaways/
Top Week 7 2023 NFL Draft Prospect Matchups To Watch (USC WR Jordan Addison vs. Utah CB Clark Phillips III - Quarterback matchups may lead this week’s 2023 NFL Draft prospect battle list, but this is the matchup we’re circling as a clash between potential first-round talents. Jordan Addison and Clark Phillips III look built to battle against one another. Addison is 6’0″, 175 pounds — lighter for an NFL prospect, but so light on his feet, explosive out of breaks, and natural at the catch point. But if anyone has the short-area athleticism and physicality to match and jar Addison, it’s Phillips, who plays larger than his size and makes game-changing plays every week. Bragging rights are absolutely on the line, but it’s even bigger than that.) (10-15-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-nfl-draft-prospects-matchups-to-watch-cfb-week-7-2022/
2023 NFL Draft: Midseason College Football All-Prospect Team (CB: CLARK PHILLIPS III, UTAH: Phillips is the highest-graded corner in the FBS this season (90.7) and leads the FBS with five interceptions already. At 5-foot-10, 183 pounds, his size will work against him, but I doubt he will fall out of the second round because of it.) (10-13-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-scouting-notebook-midseason-college-football-all-prospect-team
College Football Week 7 Preview: Storylines, matchups and predictions for the biggest games (MATCHUP TO WATCH: JORDAN ADDISON VS. CLARK PHILLIPS III - If you’re a fan of the NFL draft, you’ll want to tune into this game. Two potential first-rounders will be going head-to-head. USC wide receiver Jordan Addison was recently mocked in the top 15 by PFF lead draft analyst Mike Renner due to his dominance over the past couple of seasons. Since 2021, Addison’s 2,072 receiving yards are the most in the country. His 89.8 grade in that span ranks fifth among active FBS receivers. Meanwhile, Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III has been the best defensive back in college football this year. His 90.7 grade this season leads all cornerbacks and safeties in the country. His five interceptions lead all FBS cornerbacks, and they’ve all come within the past three weeks. Not to mention, he’s done this while routinely trailing the opposition’s best receiver. This should be one of the best one-on-one matchups we get all season.) (10-13-22): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-7-preview-storylines-matchups-predictions-2022
College football Week 7: NFL scouts will be watching these top matchups (Phillips, however, is one of the few defensive backs with the loose hips and smooth change of direction to keep up with a receiver like Addison. He is an even better athlete than former Ute Jaylon Johnson, a second-round pick and current starter for the Chicago Bears — and that is saying something, as Johnson is a talented cover corner. Besides the athleticism, Phillips also possesses terrific hands and awareness for the interception, as well as a flair for the dramatic, as he demonstrated with three picks — including one returned for a touchdown — in Utah’s Homecoming win over Oregon State two weeks ago.) (10-13-22): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/college-football-week-7-nfl-scouts-will-be-watching-these-top-matchups
Detroit Lions 2023 draft watch: Alabama’s Will Anderson (Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah (redshirt sophomore): Phillips plays on the outside for the Utes and led the Pac-12 in pass breaks up in 2021 with 15 to his credit. This season he has expanded his positional value by taking about 25 percent of his snaps in the slot, which is a position some teams will ask him to play in the NFL. Lions fit: The Lions need cornerback help, and if Phillips declares, he would be one of the best in this class. His inside-out potential would give the Lions some flexibility to line him up opposite Jeff Okudah or in the slot. An excerpt from The Draft Network’s Joe Marino’s profile of Phillips: “Clark Phillips III is a quick, twitchy, and explosive athlete that has the athleticism and movement skills to mirror and match routes. His change of direction skills and ability to transition is fluid and rapid. Phillips showcases the ability to be disruptive at the catch point often due to his recovery speed. He displays some intriguing competitive toughness where despite his smaller frame, he is willing to come downhill and battle in space to make tackles.”) (10-8-22): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/10/8/23386400/detroit-lions-2023-draft-watch-7-players-to-watch-will-anderson-scouting-profile
Kansas, TCU, UCLA, others offer talent NFL scouts won’t want to miss in Week 6 (Phillips was every bit as dynamic for the Utes, tormenting the visiting Oregon State Beavers with three interceptions, one of which he returned 38 yards for a score. At 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, and 5-foot-10, 191 pounds, respectively, neither DTR nor Phillips has elite size. Each, however, possesses dynamic athleticism and the playmaking mentality to match. Like many dual-threat quarterbacks who have excelled for Chip Kelly in the past, Thompson-Robinson is a fluid runner. He is also a savvy passer with a career 72-27 TD-INT ratio, boasting an effortless release and good accuracy to all levels of the field. Phillips, meanwhile, is at his best in man coverage, showing the loose hips and greasy knees to change direction on a dime, and quick, active hands to slap passes away (15 career PBUs). But he’s pesky and productive as a tackler as well, looking like a strong bet to join former Utah defensive backs Jaylon Johnson, Marquise Blair, Marcus Williams and Eric Rowe as top 50 NFL draft picks since 2015.) (10-6-22): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/kansas-tcu-ucla-others-offer-talent-nfl-scouts-wont-want-to-miss-in-week-6
2023 NFL Draft Risers From Week 5: Clark Phillips III Makes A Statement (Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: Sometimes, prospects rise. But sometimes, they just keep showing us who they are, and more and more people take notice. Clark Phillips III may be a case of the latter, but nonetheless, he’s rising in national circles. More and more onlookers give him the respect he deserves. His showing against Oregon State was a display of dominance, as Phillips earned three interceptions. He stuck to receivers like glue in man coverage, displayed excellent awareness in zone, and naturally high-pointed at the catch point. Phillips is proving he’s a high-level defender wherever he lines up. Of course, the conversation with Phillips has never been about his floor. He’s long been considered an early-round prospect. The question has been his ceiling. Can he rise into the tail end of the first round? There will be conflicting opinions regarding his size. But in Week 5, he took a step toward proving his value in spite of that.) (10-4-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2023-nfl-draft-risers-cfb-week-5-2022/
College Football Week 5: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards (PFF TEAM OF THE WEEK - CB: Clark Phillips III, Utah Utes. DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: CB CLARK PHILLIPS III, UTAH UTES - Phillips entered 2022 as a PFF Preseason All-American, and he has easily been living up to that billing. The Utah Ute now owns the highest coverage grade in the country after his three-interception performance in Week 5 against Oregon State. The Beavers weren’t afraid to go Phillips’ way despite him being one of the premier defensive backs out west. The 5-foot-10, 183-pound cornerback was targeted 12 times on 32 coverage snaps. Only three of those resulted in a first down, but that was all trumped by his three picks — one of which Phillips returned for six points. This elite outing from Phillips came in a game where he bounced between the slot and outside seamlessly. It was the third time of his career that he played at least 20 snaps in the slot and on the outside, which is notable considering his NFL projection. One of the top qualities Phillips showed prior to this season was his sharp processing ability, and that was once again on full display Saturday. This has helped him to an FBS-high four interceptions on the year in addition to six passing stops and zero touchdowns allowed.) (10-3-22): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-5-pff-team-of-the-week-player-awards-2022
College Football Week 5 Sunday Stock Exchange: Kansas Vying For Top 25 (Stock up: Clark Phillips III - Defenders don’t always get their due in modern college football. We saw it swing back their way a bit in 2021 when two edge rushers — Aidan Hutchinson and Will Anderson Jr. — found their way onto the Heisman standings. But more often than not, it’s much easier to be a star on the offensive side of the ball. Clark Phillips III, however, is challenging that notion after his Week 4 showing. Utah came into Week 4 with a matchup against a formidable Oregon State offense on deck. How did Phillips respond? The 5’10”, 191-pound defender snagged three interceptions and took one for six points the other way. On the boundary, in the slot, it didn’t matter — he locked it down.) (10-2-22) : https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-week-5-sunday-stock-exchange-kansas-vying-for-top-25/
Week 5 College Football Team Of The Week: Clark Phillips III, Emmanuel Forbes Dominant (Cornerback: Clark Phillips III, Utah: Quite literally taking the game away from Oregon State, Clark Phillips III put on a show for Utah on Saturday. Phillips got things started on defense for the Utes, snatching an interception in the first quarter off a brilliant read and running it back 38 yards for a touchdown. He wasn’t done there as Phillips made two more terrific interceptions, each of which showcasing his ball skills and athleticism at the catch point. Phillips put his name on the map for the Thorpe Award with this performance.) (10-2-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-team-of-the-week-week-5-2022/
Week 5 College Football Players Of The Week: Utah CB Clark Phillips III Delivers A Dominant Defensive Performance (Defensive Player of the Week: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog. Against Oregon State, Clark Phillips III showed that there’s no player with more fight per inch than the diminutive Utes cornerback. Standing at 5’9″, Phillips often looks like he’s on the wrong side of a size mismatch at the line of scrimmage. However, he routinely overcomes that height disadvantage with elite athleticism and unparalleled intelligence and competitiveness. Phillips was phenomenal in what promised to be a difficult test against an impressive Beavers outfit. He routinely demonstrated his eye-popping closing speed to jump routes. His vertical explosion was on display with an acrobatic end zone interception. He also snagged an athletic pick near midfield. The Utah cornerback ended the day with three interceptions that included a pick-six where he flew to the football and made his way to the end zone in one flowing, fluid, phenomenal moment.) (10-2-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-players-of-the-week-week-5-2022/
Utah CB Clark Phillips III grabs 3 picks, takes one to the house vs. Oregon State (10-2-22): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2022/10/01/clark-phillips-utah-highlights-pick-6-oregon-state-nfl-draft/
2023 NFL Draft Board: Top Prospect Battles To Watch In Week 1 (Florida QB Anthony Richardson vs. Utah CB Clark Phillips III: You don’t often come across quarterbacks with the tools of Anthony Richardson. In Week 1, those tools will be tested. The Utah defense has a lot of pieces, but the most challenging opponent will undoubtedly be Clark Phillips III. Richardson’s weapons have the size to outmatch Phillips, but regardless, Phillips is a sticky cover man who plays larger than his frame. Phillips is going to take away one option at times — whether it’s Justin Shorter, Xzavier Henderson, or Ricky Pearsall. Richardson, a young QB, must be ready for it.) (9-2-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2023-nfl-draft-board-top-prospect-battles-to-watch-in-week-1/
Pac-12 2023 NFL Draft prospects and scouting reports (Clark Phillips III, CB | Grade: 3.80 | Projected Round: 2-3. Cornerback Clark Phillips III is a terrific prospect who shows solid ball skills, next-level speed, and a ton of upside. Phillips is feisty but lacks desired height and must improve his ability to make plays with his back to the ball. He holds a third-round grade on my board.) (9-2-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/pac-12-2023-nfl-draft-prospects-scouting-reports/
2023 NFL Draft: Ranking the top 10 players at every position (Cornerbacks - 3. Clark Phillips III, Utah: Clark Phillips III was dominant in the Rose Bowl in his last outing last year and has top-tier speed at the position.) (8-26-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2023-nfl-draft-ranking-the-top-10-players-at-every-position/
PFN’s All-Pac-12 team honors ahead of the 2022 college football season (Defensive All-Pac-12 team and player honors. Pac-12 CB of the Year - Clark Phillips III, Utah: Clark Phillips III showcased what made him so special back in January when he made multiple plays on the ball as the team’s only healthy cornerback against Ohio State, C.J. Stroud, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He’s back to cement his place as a first-round pick this fall.) (8-16-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/preseason-all-pac-12-team-honors-2022/
Ranking the best NFL Draft prospects in the Pac-12 (6. Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: Phillips has displayed good ball skills during his first two seasons, and two of his three interceptions were returned for touchdowns. The highly regarded high school recruit drives hard on the ball and shows good awareness in zone coverage. Phillips is known to gamble in coverage, so there are opportunities for opponents to capitalize downfield.) (8-13-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/ranking-the-pac-12s-best-nfl-draft-prospects-entering-2022-oregons-noah-sewell-headlines-diverse-list/
Top 25 Pac-12 2023 NFL Draft prospects: Stanford QB Tanner McKee takes the top spot (6. CB CLARK PHILLIPS III, UTAH (JUNIOR): Phillips is one of the most competitive cornerbacks in the country. He has a very short memory and doesn’t let a bad rep impact future ones. He had a slow start to his first season as a full-time starter in 2021 but finished on a tear with an 83.1 coverage grade over his final six games. While undersized at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Phillips has the play style to overcome it.) (8-2-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-top-25-pac-12-2023-nfl-draft-prospects-stanford-tanner-mckee
PFN College Football All-Americans 2022: C.J. Stroud, Jaxon Smith-Njigba take top honors (Defense | First team - CB: Clark Phillips III, Utah) (8-8-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/pfn-college-football-all-americans-2022/
2022 PFF College Preseason All-America Team: Bryce Young, Bijan Robinson and Will Anderson earn first-team spots (First Team - Flex D Clark Phillips III, Utah) (8-1-22): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-2022-pff-preseason-all-america-team-bryce-young-bijan-robinson-and-will-anderson-earn-first-team-spots
PFF 2022 Preseason Jim Thorpe Award Watch List: Best DB in college football (CB CLARK PHILLIPS, UTAH The Utes are building something special out West, returning a ton of starters from their Pac-12-winning squad a season ago. Phillips will be the biggest name among them on the defensive side of the ball after the way he finished his sophomore season. Over his final six games in 2021, including against Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, Phillips allowed only 13 catches on 23 targets for 119 yards with a pick and four pass breakups. That’s fewer than 20 yards a game. If that’s the player we see all year in 2022, the rest of the Pac-12 is in trouble.) (7-19-22): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-preseason-jim-thorpe-award-watch-list-best-db-2022
Utah’s 2023 NFL Draft prospects led by Clark Phillips III, Brant Kuithe (Clark Phillips III, CB: The Utes’ best chance at a 2023 first-round pick lies with Clark Phillips III. He concluded his high school career as the No. 4 cornerback in the country and has started every game since landing in Utah. His true freshman campaign was nothing to scoff at, but Phillips had his coming-out party last season. In 14 games, he registered 13 PBUs, two INTs, and two forced fumbles, flashing his playmaking prowess. In my film study of UCLA WR Kyle Philips, Phillips was the only Utah defender to truly give him fits. He may not receive Day 1 capital, but Phillips won’t have to wait too long to receive a phone call from an NFL GM.) (7-12-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/utahs-2023-nfl-draft-prospects-led-by-clark-phillips-iii-brant-kuithe/
Early 2023 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings: Georgia's Kelee Ringo and Syracuse's Garrett Williams top the list (8. CLARK PHILLIPS, UTAH (JUNIOR): It seems like there’s a cornerback every year who lacks size but makes up for it with big-time skill. Last year, it was Houston’s Marcus Jones and the year before, it was Florida State's Asante Samuel Jr. Listed at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Phillips has a good chance of becoming that player in 2023. He’s uber-competitive and willing to stick his nose in the fight wherever it may be, as his 59 solo tackles last season were the 12th-most among all cornerbacks and seventh-most when isolating solely outside cornerbacks. While he may end up as a slot cornerback in the NFL, he has the skill and temperament to thrive there.) (6-24-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-early-2023-nfl-draft-cornerback-rankings-georgia-kelee-ringo-and-syracuse-garrett-williams
2023 NFL Draft cornerback class brings impressive depth and upside (“On Clark Phillips’ scouting report, I actually wrote: ‘It isn’t the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.’ Phillips has held down the outside cornerback spot at Utah, and he’s gone up against guys like Drake London. He plays so much more aggressive and physical than you would expect for a kid that’s under 5’10”.”) (6-7-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2023-nfl-draft-cornerback-class-brings-impressive-depth-and-upside/
Cornerbacks to watch for the 2023 NFL draft (Clark Phillips III, Utah: Clark Phillips III has been a mainstay for the Utah secondary since setting foot on campus back in 2020. He started all five games for the Utes that season as a true freshman, recording 25 total tackles, a pair of pass breakups and an interception, which he returned for a touchdown against Washington State. He started all 14 games for Utah last season, recording 63 total tackles which led Utah defensive backs. He recorded 13 pass breakups and a pair of interceptions, and he led the Pac-12 with 15 passes defended (13 breakups and the two interceptions). He was named a Second-Team All-Pac-12 player by both the coaches and the Associated Press at the end of the season. One of those interceptions came in the Rose Bowl against Ohio State, and is a near-textbook example of coverage.) (5-24-22): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/cornerbacks-watch-list-2023-nfl-draft-kelee-ringo-eli-ricks/
2023 NFL Draft Watch List: Defense (Clark Phillips III, Utah: Phillips is undersized, but don’t tell him that. He competes on the outside snap after snap for the Utes at only 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds. He earned a 76.4 coverage grade as a sophomore last season and got considerably better as the campaign wore on.) (5-9-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-watch-list-defense
2023 NFL draft prospects to watch: 10 quarterbacks, 10 non-QBs we like early on (CB Clark Phillips III, Utah: This might be a name that’s newish to you, but his performance vs. Ohio State in the Rose Bowl put him on the national stage. Yes, that was the same game Smith-Njigba torched the Utes, but he and Phillips only crossed paths a few times. And Phillips led his own fireworks show that day with two touchdown-saving plays — an interception and a forced fumble of Smith-Njigba, thanks to excellent hustle and awareness. Size will be an issue for Phillips, listed at 5-10 and 185 pounds, but he’s a confident cover man who will open the season at Florida before Utah gets into his Pac-12 schedule.) (5-3-22): https://sports.yahoo.com/2023-nfl-draft-prospects-to-watch-10-quarterbacks-10-non-q-bs-we-like-early-on-181039990.html
PFN’s Top 100 College Football Players of 2022 (25. Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: One of the speedier cornerbacks in the country, Clark Phillips III is also one of the stickiest coverage defenders in college this year. Phillips was dominant for Utah last year, recording a whopping 13 pass breakups and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Phillips likely gets the silent treatment in 2022 as quarterbacks are learning it’s easier to complete passes elsewhere or, simply put, better to avoid Phillips in coverage altogether.) (4-22-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-100-college-football-players-2022/
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