This is shaping up to be a fascinating class of pass rushers for the 2021 NFL draft. A player who seems to be working his way towards the top of the class is Jaelan Phillips, from Miami. Phillips started his career at UCLA, but later enrolled at Miami and this season he finally returned to the field. The 2020 campaign was an extremely productive one for him with the Hurricanes. Phillips appeared in ten games, notching 45 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss, and eight sacks. All of those — including the ten games — represent career-highs for him.
This video dives into Jaelan Phillips and the pass rushing plan. You’ll see examples of his technique off the edge, the ways the Hurricanes used him up front, and one area where he could actually improve his game:
Now Phillips does not come without concerns. His time at UCLA was marked by injuries, including three concussions, the last of which led to his retirement from football. Eventually he found his way back to the field, and what we saw this past season might be enough to push him to the top of the board at his position.