Clark

Phillips

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler first reported the news. Dexter was finally traded after days of speculation that he could be on the move. Dexter had a career-high six sacks last year, but ultimately wasn’t a fit with the Bears defense. Falcons GM Ian Cunningham worked in the Bears front office when they made Dexter a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Dexter is eligible for an extension. With Da’Shawn Hand missing most of the preseason with a leg injury, Dexter could start right away for the Falcons.

Phillips (5'10/178) has been linked to Texas A&M, Michigan, Georgia, and Clemson in the past, but the focus remains on these three Pac-12 universities and the two Mid West schools. Rivals analyst Adam Friedman previously predicted that Phillips would end up as a Duck.

Still a long, long ways to go in Phillips’ recruitment. To whit, the 5-foot-10, 178-pounder has added offers from big boys Michigan, Georgia and Clemson since releasing a top-12 list in early February. We’ll peek back in on Phillips as needed over the course of the spring camp/visit circuit. Rivals ranks the La Habra, California, native as the No. 54 overall prospect in the 2020 class.

Phillips (5'10/178) had whittled his field down to Cal, Notre Dame, Ohio State Oregon and UCLA earlier this month. He is one of the more physical cornerback prospects in the 2020 class and couples that aggressive physicality with slick technique. He does lack somewhat for long speed, but boasts impressive quickness. Think of him in the general mold of a Byron Murphy. On the 247Sports composite board, Phillips lands as the No. 46 overall prospect in the 2020 class.

That would be this coming Friday. California, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon and UCLA are all contenders for Phillips’ pledge. The 5-foot-10, 178-pounder plays with a neat mix of junkyard dog aggression and technical polish. 247Sports’ Greg Biggins notes that while his "[s]crappy type of play looks conducive to playing as a nickel or slot corner in college,” he has the versatility to play all over the secondary. On the outlet composite board, Phillips slides in as the No. 46 overall prospect in the 2020 class.

In early May Phillips (5'10/178) narrowed his list of schools to five, with Cal being joined by Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon and UCLA. The four-star cornerback will take his next official visit on June 21, with Ohio State being the destination. According to Greg Biggins of 247Sports, Phillips will also take an official visit to Notre Dame at some point, and the running back could make a college decision by the end of the summer.

Utah stealing an elite CB from Ohio State, arguably the “DBU” at the moment, is a stunner. Granted, Utah have a strong history of their own in producing NFL DBs, but this is surprising considering Phillips was committed to the Buckeyes since June. Phillips is listed as a top-50 prospect by 247 Sports and is Utah’s highest rated recruit by a comfortable margin now. Per Bruce Feldman’s report, it’s unclear if Phillips is committed or signed, but either way, it seems Phillips is going to stick with Utah now. Phillips is a 5-foot-10-, 180-pounder with tremendous speed and quickness.