Jalyn Phillips Commits to the Clemson Tigers

Jalyn Phillips (6’1, 190) from Archer, GA commits to the Clemson Tigers. Phillips picked Clemson over reported offers from USCsr, Tennessee, Arizona, and Oklahoma, among others. This was really between Clemson, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Jalyn took an official visit to Oklahoma on April 13th, but when Clemson offered in early June the recruitment was done. Jalyn is the composite 415th ranked player overall and a 3* recruit. This is an appropriate ranking and I would expect he ends up somewhere in the 350-400 range when all is said and done. Phillips becomes the 23rd commitment in the class and the 4th Safety take in the class joining Joseph Charleston, Lanndon Zanders, and Ray Thorton.

Phillips profiles a good bit like Thornton as a possible Safety, but also more of a Nickel/SAM hybrid player in the ‘cheetah’ role that Simmons will play this year and Dorian O’Daniel played last year. Phillips has size at 6’1 and length. He comes from a great program at Archer HS and is well coached (the same program as 5* CB Andrew Booth).

Phillips is adept at blitzing and rushing the passer, he often plays close to the box and the line of scrimmage in high school so the transition to playing a hybrid type of package makes a good bit of sense for Phillips. Clemson hasn’t recruited a true Safety in the past two recruiting classes and is looking to make up for that with this class with a bulk in numbers (and with 7 walk-on players on the 85 man roster this year, not including Renfrow, Spence or Huegel, I’m all for more numbers). Phillips as a Safety is not afraid to come up and hit. He likes to strike and doesn’t shy away from contact. At times, he isn’t the most fluid athlete with his change of direction, but he has good closing speed and athleticism.