According to a report from Matt Zenitz of AL.com, Miami Hurricanes redshirt junior defensive end Jaelan Phillips is expected to enter the 2021 NFL Draft.
“Source: Miami defensive end Jaelan Phillips is entering the NFL Draft,” Zenitz tweeted on Friday night.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald confirmed the report later on Friday night.
Phillips is not expected to play in Miami’s future bowl game, which will be announced on Sunday afternoon. Many bowl projections have the Hurricanes facing the Texas Longhorns in the Chez-It Bowl on December 29th in Orlando, Florida.
Phillips is the former No. 1 overall recruit in the country during the 2017 recruiting cycle. He started his career with the UCLA Bruins, but injuries and a coaching change caused him to temporarily retire from the sport.
Phillips eventually decided to transfer to Miami prior to the 2019 season. He arrived at UM weighing close to 220 pounds and focused on getting healthy and improving his weight and strength.
One year later, Phillips entered the 2020 season weighing 270 pounds.
When Miami’s star defensive end Gregory Rousseau opted out of the 2020 season just before the start of fall camp, it elevated Phillips into a starter role opposite of Temple graduate transfer Quincy Roche.
From that point on, Phillips never looked back.
Phillips has been a dominant force for the Hurricanes at defensive end, totaling 45 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and one interception in ten games.
According to Pro Football Focus, Phillips is tenth in the country with 42 quarterback pressures. Amongst defensive ends that have played at least 400 snaps this season, Phillips ranks as the seventh best player at his position in the country, according to PFF. He is the second highest rated defensive end at the Power Five level.
The most impressive performance of the 2020 season for Phillips was a gritty showing against Virginia Tech in which he played 72 of the 75 defensive snaps and totaled five quarterback pressures and 2.5 sacks while making dual-threat quarterback Hendon Hooker uncomfortable for the entire game.
That performance earned the attention of NFL Draft scouts and now Phillips will have a chance to be the first edge rusher selected.
In his latest ‘Big Board’ on ESPN.com, NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Phillips as the No. 12 prospect in the draft (ahead of Gregory Rousseau, who checked in at No. 20 on the list).
With Phillips expected to enter, Miami has a chance to feature two first round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.
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December 19, 2020 at 06:48PM
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Report: DE Jaelan Phillips expected to enter the 2021 NFL Draft - 247Sports
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