Clark Phillips III Announces He Will Not Play In Utah’s Upcoming Rose Bowl, Turns Attention To NFL
Dec 12, 2022, 11:28 AM | Updated: 11:29 am
Cornerback Clark Phillips III #1 of the Utah Utes reacts after an interception ahead of wide receiver Charles Hall IV #0 of the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half of the NCAAF game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY- Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III announced Monday morning he will not participate in the Utes’ upcoming trip to the Rose Bowl and will instead turn his attention to preparing for the 2023 NFL Draft. Phillips III joins tight end Dalton Kincaid in passing on playing in the prestigeous bowl.
ROMANS 8:28 pic.twitter.com/myZUx9iKP6
— Clark Phillips lll (@ClarkPhillips21) December 12, 2022
I Will Always Be A Utah Man
“From my first visit to this campus with Coach Shah, who has been my mentor and helped shape my game, to winning back-to-back Pac-12 Championships, there has never been a moment where I have not felt like the University of Utah is my home.
Every single person I have come in contact with, from the staff, to the students and alumni, to the MUSS, to the coaches, has welcomed me with open arms and helped me grow not only as a football player, but more importantly, as a person. I want to thank every person here at the U for these incredible memories and years. I want to thank my family for their love, guidance, and support.
After much prayer and discussion with my family, I am announcing that I am declaring for the NFL draft and pursing my lifelong dream.
I hope and pray that all of you will support me in my endeavors moving forward and I look forward to returning to this campus, time and time, again to support and uplift the next generation of great Utes.
I am, have been, and will always be a Utah man!”
Always A Ute
Phillips III was a tremendous get for the Utes in the 2020 signing class. Many questioned his choice to pick Utah over Ohio State but showed everyone last season in the Rose Bowl why it wasn’t such a crazy decision.
Since that performance, Phillips III has been on NFL scout’s radars, and he hasn’t disappointed in his final season at Utah earning himself a potential first-round Draft grade. CPIII is currently tied for second in the nation with interceptions in 2022 with six to his name.
Phillips III’s efforts in 2022 for Utah’s defense have made him a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the best defensive back, and a semi-finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the best defensive player in the country.
Phillips III was named earlier in the week to the Pac-12’s First-Team while making various other media outlets’ post-season honors.
Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports
