Los Angeles • The University of Utah only has one player who has publicly opted out of the Rose Bowl on Monday, but that one player is a large piece of the Utes’ puzzle.
Clark Phillips III announced on Dec. 12 that he was declaring for the NFL draft as a third-year sophomore, later revealing he would skip the Rose Bowl as the unanimous All-American cornerback begins preparations for the NFL Combine, which runs Feb. 28 through March 6 in Indianapolis.
Multiple mock drafts have Phillips III projected to be selected late in the first round or early in the second round of the draft, which runs April 27-29 in Kansas City.
“He came in and did nothing but buy into the process, buy into what we were doing,” Utes defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley said on Thursday morning during media availability. “I wish I had a million Clark Phillips, and I am proud of what he’s accomplished. I am grateful for what he’s brought to our program. I’ve probably learned more from Clark than he’s learned from me, and I wish him nothing but the best.”
Phillips III’s draft projection comes on the heels of having a profound impact on Scalley’s defense in 31 games across three seasons, all of them starts at either cornerback or at the nickel position.
Of his nine career interceptions, a school-record-tying four went back for touchdowns, leaving him as the only active Pac-12 player with four career interceptions returned for touchdowns. In those 31 games, Phillips had 21 pass breakups to go along with the nine interceptions.
All of that led to the growing notion during his career that he could leave Utah after three seasons, which was the plan all along.
“We just want to make sure we’re doing what’s best for the kid, and if you’re not doing that, man, it’s tough for those guys to ever come back to your program,” Scalley said. “What’s best for the kid is telling them what we feel, what the scouts are telling us, and sometimes, that is, hey, you should move on.”
With that said, did Scalley believe Phillips III was ready to move on after this season?
“No question, it speaks for itself,” Scalley said. “I’m excited for him and his future.”
R.J. Hubert remains undecided about 2023
Among the numerous NFL draft decisions still to be made by various Utah players, R.J. Hubert’s has flown under the radar this month.
An All-Pac-12 honorable mention selection after registering 75 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumbles recovered in 13 games at strong safety, Hubert has one more season to play in 2023. Utah’s roster has Hubert listed as a senior, but he still has one more season of eligibility, which would make him a sixth-year senior.
Hubert, like many of his other teammates at this juncture, is undecided about next season, or at least not yet willing to share his decision publicly.
“I haven’t decided yet,” Hubert said. “I’ve talked a little bit with my family, we’ve had some discussions, but we haven’t come to an absolute conclusion. Options are on the table, but we just haven’t decided yet.”
Hubert is in a similar position as wide receiver Devaughn Vele, as both served a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission out of high school, which makes them older than the average college player. To that end, Hubert, like Vele, is aware that age and time are against him if he hopes to pursue the NFL at some point.
For Hubert, there is also his injury history to consider.
Hubert missed nearly all of the 2021 season following a freak knee injury on the first play of the spring game. Before that, his 2019 season came to an end in the Pac-12 championship game due to a knee injury, which limited his playing time during the COVID-impacted 2020 season.
“As your career goes along, you’re not getting any younger, and with age comes the inability to heal from injuries as quickly as you would like,” Hubert said “You have to be very prudent in your decision-making as your age gets up there, so yeah, that is a factor.”
Nate Ritchie’s impending return
With or without Hubert, Utah’s safeties room projects to be strong in 2023, and that’s before you consider what type of impact Nate Ritchie may have upon returning from his LDS mission.
A four-star recruit in the class of 2020 out of Lone Peak High School, Ritchie had a promising first season in 2020, totaling 28 tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup in five games at strong safety before heading off to New Hampshire on his mission.
(Marcio Jose Sanchez | AP) Utah safety Cole Bishop answers questions during a press conference ahead of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Penn State, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, in Los Angeles.
Per Scalley, Ritchie is slated to arrive home on Friday and is expected to rejoin the program next month. The spring semester at Utah begins on Jan. 9.
“He’s another versatile athlete, like Cole Bishop, like Sione Vaki, he’s going to find his way onto the field,” Scalley said. “He was a starter for us before he left, so I don’t anticipate that being any different. Now, he’s going to have to get his mission legs underneath him and we’ll see how his body develops as well, but we’re excited for him and we’re going to put the best 11 on the field. We’re not going to put 11 safeties on the field, but we’ll find the best fit.
“All of our guys understand that you are always competing for a job. We don’t promise anything to anybody other than the opportunity to compete, and that’s why I love coaching these guys.”
Where Ritchie fits in will be a key spring practice storyline, especially if Hubert returns, with All-Pac-12 honorable selection Cole Bishop entrenched at one safety spot after two productive seasons. There is also Clayton Isbell to consider. The two-time FCS All-American at Illinois State has played in 12 games, mostly on special teams in his first season with Utah.
(Utah director of football performance) Doug Elisaia and our strength staff do a great job of when they get back from a mission, bringing them in, assessing where they’re at, letting us know along with the nutrition staff, what needs to happen in order for the player to be ready enough,” Scalley said. “It’s one thing to be doing pushups, it’s another to be in combat, right? They do a great job of letting us know when they’re ready.”
