Todd McShay Releases Early 1st Round Predictions, Clark Phillips III Is Included
Dec 13, 2022, 7:06 PM
Utah Utes cornerback Clark Phillips III (8) celebrates during a college football game between the Utah Utes and the USC Trojans on October 9, 2021, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY- Just a day after he declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, CPIII was included ESPN’s Todd McShay’s early first round predictions. The talented defensive back in the moment according to McShay will go No. 25 to the Baltimore Ravens.
Mock 1.0 is here! Have at it… https://t.co/zsNDrFlnbB
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) December 13, 2022
The Ravens currently have a few former Utes on their roster in quarterback Tyler Huntley and safety Marcus Williams. Baltimore has also been home to other former Ute-greats in the past such as defensive end Paul Kruger, wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., and safety Eric Weddle.
CPIII College To NFL
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 as demonstrated by McShay’s first early predictions for the 2023 NFL Draft.
ROMANS 8:28 pic.twitter.com/myZUx9iKP6
— Clark Phillips lll (@ClarkPhillips21) December 12, 2022
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 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 has been named to the Pac-12’s First-Team while making various other media outlets’ post-season honors. CPIII currently sits as a consensus All-American. Sporting News was the most recent to name Phillips III to their first-team earlier Tuesday morning.
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
