College football analyst Bruce Feldman of The Athletic stated that Miami defensive end Jaelan Phillips has reported to training camp in the best shape of his life and should be on the list of freaky players for the 2020 season.
Miami Hurricanes defensive end Jaelan Phillips has often been described as a freakish athlete. Bruce Feldman of The Athletic who is a Miami alum is the latest to recognize the incredible athletic ability of the former UCLA transfer. Feldman tweeted on Thursday that he should have had Phillips on his 2020 college football freaks list.
The 2020 season will be one of great opportunity for Phillips. The decision by redshirt sophomore DE Greg Rousseau to opt-out of the 2020 season almost definitely promotes Phillips into his spot on the first-team. Phillips made the bold move of requesting the number 15 that Rousseau previously wore.
Phillips wore 15 at UCLA. The departure of Rousseau from the Miami football team provided the opportunity for Phillips to discard his previous number 95 jersey for Miami that he never wore in a game to don his old number 15. Phillips redshirted in 2019 for Miami after transferring from UCLA in January 2019.
Phillips was the top signee in the nation in 2017 with UCLA. The loss of Rousseau would devastate most programs. Having Phillips and graduate transfer Quincy Roche on the roster, Miami should still have one of the best starting DE tandems in the country. Defensive coordinator Blake Baker said Phillips is out of a video game.
Phillips played at UCLA around 245-250, and is now 270 & am told is in the best shape of his life. At UM, he’s been measured in the high 21’s on the GPS and hit 22 MPH--crazy for someone that big. Sounds like I should’ve had him back on the Freaks list. https://t.co/9N2CStI59h
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) August 6, 2020
Phillips put on the weight noted by Feldman to prepare for playing DE in the Miami 4-3 defense. At UCLA, Phillips was an edge rusher in the 3-4 Bruins defense. It is Phillips’ time to shine for Miami. The Hurricanes can still be among the national leaders in tackles for loss and sacks in 2020.
Phillips, Roche and Jahfari Harvey are all freakish athletes with the ability to frustrate opposing offensive lines. Phillips should be one of the leaders of the Miami defense in 2020. His ability on the field is virtually unmatched by anyone nationally. As it was with Rousseau in 2019, it will be fun to watch Phillips have a breakout 2020 season.