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The University of Utah Athletics
Phillips, Bishop Named To Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
7/25/2022 8:01 AM | Football
OKLAHOMA CITY – The University of Utah secondary was well represented on the 2022 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List with cornerback Clark Phillips III and safety Cole Bishop both earning spots on the list.
The preseason watch list is comprised of 35 of the nation's best defensive backs, representing 10 conferences and one independent university. The field will be narrowed to 15 semifinalists in October with three finalists being named in November before the winner is announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on ESPN in December.
Phillips has started in every game he has appeared in since stepping foot on campus at Utah (19), earning All-Pac-12 in 2021. He wrapped up last season as one of three active Pac-12 players with multiple pick-sixes in their career.
He started all 14 games in 2021, recording 63 tackles with 13 pass breakups, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. His 15 passes defended led the Pac-12 with his 11 passes defended in conference play leading all freshmen.
Bishop earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention as a true freshman in 2021 after playing in 10 games while starting in the last six games. He led all freshmen on the team with 54 tackles (9.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks) with five pass breakups.
He averaged 7.6 tackles per game in the last five games of the season, also recording all nine of his tackles for loss in the final six games of the year. Bishop recorded a career-high eight tackles with 3.0 TFL at Arizona, repeating his career-best of eight stops against Oregon and Ohio State to wrap up the season.
NEXT UP
With the Utes set to start fall camp in August, time is ticking down as Utah prepares to head to The Swamp in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 3 to take on the Florida Gators. The game will air at 5 p.m. MT on ESPN.
FOLLOW ALONG!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program, follow the Utes on social media (Twitter: @Utah_Football | Instagram: @UtahFootball | Facebook: Search Utah Football), along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com for news, schedule and roster updates throughout the season.
The preseason watch list is comprised of 35 of the nation's best defensive backs, representing 10 conferences and one independent university. The field will be narrowed to 15 semifinalists in October with three finalists being named in November before the winner is announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on ESPN in December.
Phillips has started in every game he has appeared in since stepping foot on campus at Utah (19), earning All-Pac-12 in 2021. He wrapped up last season as one of three active Pac-12 players with multiple pick-sixes in their career.
He started all 14 games in 2021, recording 63 tackles with 13 pass breakups, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. His 15 passes defended led the Pac-12 with his 11 passes defended in conference play leading all freshmen.
Bishop earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention as a true freshman in 2021 after playing in 10 games while starting in the last six games. He led all freshmen on the team with 54 tackles (9.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks) with five pass breakups.
He averaged 7.6 tackles per game in the last five games of the season, also recording all nine of his tackles for loss in the final six games of the year. Bishop recorded a career-high eight tackles with 3.0 TFL at Arizona, repeating his career-best of eight stops against Oregon and Ohio State to wrap up the season.
NEXT UP
With the Utes set to start fall camp in August, time is ticking down as Utah prepares to head to The Swamp in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 3 to take on the Florida Gators. The game will air at 5 p.m. MT on ESPN.
FOLLOW ALONG!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program, follow the Utes on social media (Twitter: @Utah_Football | Instagram: @UtahFootball | Facebook: Search Utah Football), along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com for news, schedule and roster updates throughout the season.
Players Mentioned
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