Upcoming Event: Football versus Nebraska on December 31, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.
Football
vs Nebraska
.png&width=31&height=31&type=webp)
The University of Utah Athletics
Clark Phillips III Taken In Fourth Round Of 2023 NFL Draft By Atlanta
4/29/2023 10:41 AM | Football
KANSAS CITY – Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round with the 113th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft on Saturday.
Phillips is the 15th defensive back taken in the draft in the Kyle Whittingham era and is also the second Ute to be taken by Atlanta in draft history. He is Utah's second pick in this year's draft, joining first rounder Dalton Kincaid.
In 2022, Phillips became Utah's fourth unanimous All-American, earning spots on AP, Sporting News, Walter Camp, FWAA, CBS Sports/247 Sports and The Athletic's first-team lists. He was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, also being named the AP Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.
The Lakewood, Calif., native was a two-time All-Pac-12 selection, starting every game he appeared in during his time at Utah (31). He recorded nine career interceptions that included a school-record-tying four pick-sixes, also ranking fourth all-time at Utah in career interception return yards (232).
Last season, he finished the year with 24 total tackles (2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack), adding six interceptions (142 yards) and six pass breakups. He ranked third in the FBS and first in the Pac-12 in interceptions with his two pick-sixes tying for third-most among all players in the FBS.
His breakout game of the year came against Oregon State after Phillips recorded three interceptions (1 TD) and three tackles, earning him national player of the week from the Chuck Bednarik Award, Jim Thorpe Award, PFF and Walter Camp. It was the first three-interception game by a Ute since 2009 and was the second-most in a game in the FBS in 2022.
Phillips also started in all 14 games in 2021, leading the Pac-12 with 15 passes defended. In his debut season in 2020, he started in all five games with 25 total tackles along with his first pick-six against Washington State to end the year.
Phillips is the 15th defensive back taken in the draft in the Kyle Whittingham era and is also the second Ute to be taken by Atlanta in draft history. He is Utah's second pick in this year's draft, joining first rounder Dalton Kincaid.
In 2022, Phillips became Utah's fourth unanimous All-American, earning spots on AP, Sporting News, Walter Camp, FWAA, CBS Sports/247 Sports and The Athletic's first-team lists. He was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, also being named the AP Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.
The Lakewood, Calif., native was a two-time All-Pac-12 selection, starting every game he appeared in during his time at Utah (31). He recorded nine career interceptions that included a school-record-tying four pick-sixes, also ranking fourth all-time at Utah in career interception return yards (232).
Last season, he finished the year with 24 total tackles (2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack), adding six interceptions (142 yards) and six pass breakups. He ranked third in the FBS and first in the Pac-12 in interceptions with his two pick-sixes tying for third-most among all players in the FBS.
His breakout game of the year came against Oregon State after Phillips recorded three interceptions (1 TD) and three tackles, earning him national player of the week from the Chuck Bednarik Award, Jim Thorpe Award, PFF and Walter Camp. It was the first three-interception game by a Ute since 2009 and was the second-most in a game in the FBS in 2022.
Phillips also started in all 14 games in 2021, leading the Pac-12 with 15 passes defended. In his debut season in 2020, he started in all five games with 25 total tackles along with his first pick-six against Washington State to end the year.
Players Mentioned
TE
/ Football
CB
/ FootballFormer Utah Football Head Coach Urban Meyer inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Wednesday, December 10
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Kyle Bonagura
Wednesday, December 03
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Yogi Roth
Tuesday, December 02
NSD26: Dylan Waters
Tuesday, December 02