Clark Phillips III Reaches Unanimous All-American Status
Dec 14, 2022, 10:01 AM
(Photo courtesy of Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY- Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III has reached Unanimous All-American status after hitting Consensus just a few days before. Phillips III is just the fourth Ute to reach Unanimous All-American status joining the likes of Louis Sakoda, Tom Hackett and Mitch Wishnowsky. CPIII is the first Ute to reach the honor who is not a kicker/punter.
𝗨𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗠𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗔𝗟𝗟-𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗡. @ClarkPhillips21 earned it ‼️ pic.twitter.com/PX56NVduk1
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 14, 2022
CPIII Getting All The Recognition
Just a day after Phillips III declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, he was already receiving love from ESPN’s Todd McShay in his early first round predictions. The talented defensive back at this moment, according to McShay, will go No. 25 to the Baltimore Ravens.
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.
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 hit the Unanimous All-American status by being named on the first-teams for the AFCA, Walter Camp, Associated Press, Sporting News, and FWAA.
Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.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
