Highly recruited four-star cornerback Clark Phillips III has committed to Ohio State University's football team in 2020, and will bring even more depth to an excellent recruiting class. Phillips attends La Habra High School in California, and he also lines up at wide receiver on his high school team. His excellent technique and ball skills will be an asset to a 2020 OSU recruiting class that looks stacked in the secondary.
Who did Phillips Consider?
Phillips was recruited by OSU Co-Defensive Coordinator and Secondary Coach Jeff Hafley. Cal and OSU were the front-runners from the beginning, but Notre Dame and USC were also in consideration. He was offered by numerous Power Five programs, but Phillips only visited Cal and USC. In the end, the chance to play for former 49ers Secondary Coach Jeff Hafley at OSU was too good of an opportunity for Phillips to pass up. He committed to OSU shortly after his June visit to Columbus.
Ohio State 2020 Class
The 2020 secondary class for Ohio State is shaping up to be a strong one, with Clark Phillips III at CB, and four-star safeties Lathan Ransom and Lejond Cavazos patrolling the field and providing protection for Phillips. Ransom and Phillips even took their official visit on the same day, and this played a part in them both selecting the Buckeyes shortly thereafter. With luck, this off-field friendship will translate to on-field performance for these two highly touted members of the 2020 freshman secondary.
What Does Phillips Bring to OSU?
Phillips is best known as island defender who can lock down his receiver in man-to-man coverage, and should help the Ohio State defense despite numerous changes to their defensive coaching staff. Phillips will bring an elite athleticism to the position, and his quickness and explosiveness allows him to play in the slot when needed, or as the nickel cornerback when the situation calls for it. Despite playing WR in high school, he isn't expected to see any time on the offensive side of the ball at the next level.
Phillips III has average size at 5'10" and 178 pounds, and solid but unspectacular straight line speed, with a 4.54 time in the 40. However, he possesses excellent technique and physicality, and an unbreakable competitive spirit. His time catching passes has helped him develop excellent ball skills and solid hands, which gives him an edge on 50-50 balls and will allow him to make some interceptions that less sure-handed CB's wouldn't be able to come up with.
Overall, the 2020 class is shaping up to be a great one for the Buckeyes. In addition to Clark Phillips III, Lathan Ransom, and Lejond Cavazos in the secondary, Ohio State has picked up some gems on the offensive side of the ball as well. This includes five-star recruits Julian Fleming at wide receiver and Paris Johnson, Jr. at tackle. Four-star quarterback Jack Miller also has a lot of potential to light up the scoreboard, and the receiving corps will be loaded with depth with recent four-star wide receivers Mookie Cooper, Gee Scott, Jr., and Jaxon Smith-Ngiba. While it is too early to say for sure, the OSU 2020 recruiting class is already one of the top 5 in the country, and easily the best in the Big 10.
Four Star CB chooses THE Ohio State University