Interview: 4-Star UCLA 2017 DE Commit Jaelan Phillips Talks Football and Recruiting

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

There is a lot of time between now and National Signing Day in February 2017. With time things can change for the better or for the worse, but on April 14 a potentially big moment for the future of UCLA’s football program took place. Cue the intense and dramatic music – Jaelan Phillips committed to the Bruins that day.

Phillips’ commitment in and of itself is big. The Redlands East Valley High School star is a difference maker on the California high school gridiron, no question about it. During his junior campaign, Phillips lined up at outside linebacker dropping back into coverage and lined up a defensive end holding the line while sealing off the edge from hopeful quarterbacks and running backs. Essentially cutting off one side of the field play after play for the Wildcats, Phillips ended his season with 87 tackles, 38 solo, one tackle for a loss, 13.5 sacks, three interceptions – one a pick-six, three passes defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery helping his team to a 9-3 record.

When watching Phillips play, the talent of the now 6’5”, 240 pound, athlete is immediately seen. He plays at a different level than his peer group flashing his 4.59 speed in the 40-yard dash while using his raw power and athleticism to hunt down the unfortunate soul carrying the pigskin.

One of the true crimes in recruiting rankings is limiting Phillips to that of a four-star status. If the stats and ability to dominate a game is not telling enough, consider his offer list. Very early in the process and Phillips has already ended his recruitment but holds offers from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Colorado, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Arizona, Cal, Notre Dame, Oregon, Vanderbilt, Washington, Washington State, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC, and Oklahoma. A phone call from Phillips to any other Power Five Conference team member expressing interest in said program would turn a staff of testosterone filled football coaches into giddy kids in a heartbeat.

Phillips commitment to UCLA alone is a big deal but the pairing with Los Angeles 4-star defensive end Hunter Echols (Cathedral High School) in the Bruins 2017 class tells an even bigger story. If the duo holds true to the end, UCLA has quickly put together a pair of speed edge rushers that can also defend the run giving the Bruins a one-two punch that should create havoc in the backfield of Pac-12 foes for years to come.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Phillips to cover his offseason workouts, his goals for the 2016 season, and received a recruiting update.

Interview

Jaelan, you had an outstanding junior season. As good players do, you make the game look easy. So far, who has been the toughest lineman you have gone up against while playing for East Valley?

“I think the toughest tackle I’ve played against – I’m blanking on his name, St. Bonaventure’s No. 78. Casey Roddick (6-5, 325)! He’s the best I’ve played against so far. Our league is good, and he is one of the best. I’ve seen him at camps too.”

You are versatile on defense able to line up at linebacker or at defensive end. What are your strengths on the field right now as an outside linebacker/defensive end hybrid?

“I feel like I have a high motor, I’m instinctual, and I am a ball hog. I spend a lot of time preparing for the games. I play on instinct and use my quickness and strength to make plays. My intensity and effort are my strengths.”

What are you working on in the offseason to prepare for your senior year?

“Right now I am spending time weight lifting in the gym and with my team. I’m doing footwork drills and getting my moves down. I want my repertoire of moves to be better. I’m also participating in track and volley ball working on getting faster.”

You mentioned working on some moves. What moves are working on to use for the 2016 season?

“Hard to say really. Basically I’m working on my strength and bull rush, I’m good as a speed rusher. I’m working on chop moves and I’m working on some inside moves with our defensive linemen. We are working on stunts.”

What is your bench press, squat, and power clean max at right now?

“My clean is between 325 and 330 and my bench is 315. We don’t do squat max.”

What is the best 40-yard dash time you’ve posted so far?

“4.59 hand held.”

Have you set your goals for the offseason and 2016 season yet?

“Yes. My goals are to average two to 2.5 sacks a game. I want five interceptions and over 100 tackles. As a team, I want us to win league and a CIF championship. I want us to build as a team. We had a lot of guys leave the team. I want us to build up as a team for next season.”

Will we see you at other positions next season?

“I might play some tight end. You’ll see me rush the quarterback more and play more at defensive end along with playing outside linebacker.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of your junior season?

“I was All-Conference and All-Area.”

You didn’t earn All-State?

“A lot of my stats did not get put into MaxPreps. I’m not sure if that hurt me or not.”

You committed to UCLA on April 14 but that has never stopped teams from going after a committed player. Are there any teams still pushing hard for your commitment?

“USC is pushing hard, so is Washington. Those are the two teams that I talk to a lot. The hit me up a lot.”

Are any SEC schools pushing for you?

“I have an offer from Alabama, A&M, LSU, and Vanderbilt. Alabama is still in touch. I have a lot of respect for the SEC but I’m staying home.”

Are you taking official visits in the fall to any other schools other than UCLA?

“No. I’m staying true to UCLA.”

You may have answered this question a million times but, how did you know UCLA was the school for you?

“Honestly, I grew up on UCLA. A lot of my family members went to UCLA. That was influential. Looking at the school overall set it apart, the LA network helps with that. The coaches have helped with that home feel and family feel that I want.”

Which of your family members went to UCLA?

“My dad, my aunt, my grandpa, and my grandma.”

Earlier you mentioned playing volleyball. How is that going for you?

“It’s going well. Our team is not doing that well but I’m having a good time. We are bonding and having fun.”

You also mentioned participating in track. Which events are you in with track?

“I’m in the 4×1, 200 (meters), and I throw the shotput.”

You might be the first person I have interviewed that runs the 200 and throws the shotput. What is your personal best in the 200?

“22.9. In the 4×1 the best is a 42.9. We do well in that.”

What is your best distance in the shotput?

“In a meet my best is 51-feet. In practice my best is 55-feet.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“I have a 4.36 GPA.”

Nice. Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“No. I’m taking the ACT on May 7.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“I like anatomy but I want to major in journalism.”

Last question, what is your favorite part of playing football?

“The team relationship and being able to leave it all out on the field. The aggression of the game, I just love it.”

Jaelan, thanks for your time today and good luck with the ACT.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: bleacherreport.com; Jaelan Phillips.

Photo credit: scout.com; Jaelan Phillips on the field.

Photo credit: sportspyder.com; No. 15 Jaelan Phillips, No. 9 Hunter Echols, and No. 74 Will Farrar.