SALT LAKE CITY — Thursday was a very productive day for the Utah Utes on the recruiting trail. The biggest get was cornerback Clark Phillips III, who flipped his commitment from Ohio State to Utah. The 5-foot-10, 187-pound defensive back from La Habra High School in California is the highest rated prospect the Utes have ever signed according to 247 Sports.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said that Phillips will absolutely step right in and compete for a starting job.
“He’s the whole package corner-wise. He’s got speed, quickness, great ball skills. His hips are fluid,” said Whittingham, who also praised Phillips for being a competitor and having a lot of confidence. “He’s ultra-competitive. He’s got the personality. There’s certain personality that those elite corners have and he’s got it.”
Whittingham noted that Phillips is similar to Jaylon Johnson, but said Phillips is a little more demonstrative. Cornerbacks coach Sharrieff Shah began a lengthy recruiting process with Phillips years ago and continued to stay in contact with him even after he committed to Ohio State last June.
“That’s why you recruit that way because you never know what’s going to happen,” Whittingham said.
Utah’s overall recruiting class, Whittingham acknowledged, is very good thus far.
“We’ve got a bunch of good players, guys that can come in and help right away, in our opinion,” he said. “We’ll see what happens, but I think it’s one of the best classes we’ve ever been able to put together and we’ve still got to put the finishing touches on it.”
Whittingham said the 2020 recruiting class is 90% done — cornerback Kenzel Lawler of Corona, California, was added to the list Friday — and there are just a couple of slots remaining available. They may or may not be filled in February. The best available players are being sought, Whittingham explained, and they may end up coming from the NCAA transfer portal.
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2020 Utah football signees
QB Jake Bentley (South Carolina)
DL Xavier Carlton (Juan Diego HS)
LB Graham Faloona (Southlake Carroll HS, Texas)
DL Van Fillinger (Corner Canyon HS)
LB Sione Fotu (Bingham HS)
OL Alex Harrison (Viewmont HS)
RB Ty Jordan (West Mesquite HS, Texas)
OL Jaren Kump (Herriman HS)
S Kamo’i Latu (St. Louis HS, Hawaii)
CB Kenzel Lawler (Roosevelt HS, Calif.)
OL Hunter Lotulelei (Highland HS)
OL Solatoa Moea’i (Punahou HS, Hawaii)
WR Connor O’Toole (La Cueva HS, N.M.)
WR Money Parks (Aledo HS, Texas)
CB Clark Phillips III (La Habra HS, Calif.)
DL Taniela Pututau (Cottonwood HS)
DL Tennessee Pututau (East HS)
S Ben Renfro (Magnolia HS, Texas)
S Nate Ritchie (Lone Peak HS)
CB Caine Savage (Western HS, Calif.)
DL Aliki Vimahi (Kahuku HS, Hawaii)
DL Tyler Wegis (San Juan Hills HS, Calif.)