Football
WACO, Texas – Utah Football cornerback Clark Phillips III was named to the American Football Coaches Association All-America first-team today, securing his unanimous All-America status for the 2022 season.
He is Utah’s eighth AFCA first-team All-American in program history and the first defensive back to be on the list since 2006 (Eric Weddle). He is the fourth player in Utah history to earn unanimous All-America, joining Louie Sakoda (K, 2008), Tom Hackett (P, 2015) and Mitch Wishnowsky (P, 2016).
The Lakewood, Calif., native has earned eight All-America recognitions this post-season, also landing on the Associated Press, Sporting News, Walter Camp, FWAA, CBS Sports/247Sports and The Athletic first-teams. He was also named to the Pro Football Focus honorable mention team.
Phillips has started in every game he has appeared in since coming to Salt Lake City (31). He has 10 career interceptions and four pick-sixes, sitting as the only active player in the Pac-12 with four career interceptions returned for touchdowns.
He has 12 starts this season with 24 tackles (2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack) with six interceptions (142 return yards) and six pass breakups. The two-time All-Pac-12 selection is tied for the most interceptions this season among Power Five players (6), also tying for second overall in the country.
His 142 return yards also ranks fourth nationally with his two pick-sixes being the second-most by an FBS player this year. Eleven of his 12 passes defended came in Pac-12 regular season play, also tying for the conference lead.
In Utah’s Homecoming victory over Oregon State this year, Phillips racked up a career-high three picks (one pick-six) against the Beavers, which ties as the most by a Power Five player in 2022. He earned national weekly awards from Chuck Bednarik, Jim Thorpe, PFF and Walter Camp for his performance against Oregon State, also being named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week.
He had a season-high four stops in Utah’s regular season win over USC, also recording his first career sack and two pass breakups. The Lakewood, Calif., native also had an…
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