World News – AU – 2021 NFL Draft: How High Can Miami EDGE Jaelan Phillips Rise?

Miami Hurricanes’ 2021 NFL draft brochure Jaelan Phillips # 15 storms Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (Photo by Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports)

Jaelan Phillips, who started his college career at UCLA and took a year off, had a big red shirt junior year with Miami this college football season. Before the year, Phillips wasn’t even seen as a starter at the U.. They had Gregory Rousseau, who is a top 10 prospect in the 2021 NFL draft, and Temple Transfer Quincy Roche, also a 2021 NFL draft prospect, starting on either end. Rousseau’s decision to suspend the season was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Phillips to shine.

Phillips is currently runner-up in the ACC with eight sacks and has shown he can put a lot of pressure on the quarterback all season. Phillips stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs 266 pounds. He’s a physical bruise in the edge rusher position. Phillips has also shown great speed and agility at his size with large hand movements, which made him an interesting prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft.

As mentioned earlier, Phillips has eight sacks, 45 total tackles of 15. 5 for a loss and an interception this year. Phillips also demonstrated the ability to clog lanes and help in the running game as well as putting pressure on passerby. With the speed and flexibility of diving his hips, Phillips can beat tackles outside and also receives the strength and power to go inside with forceful hand movement, and strength lures teams for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Phillips was completely under the radar this year, but Rousseau, who declared early, gave him a golden opportunity. He’s shown a non-stop engine and impressive natural skills that have drawn ever more attention for the 2021 NFL Draft.

The Miami Edge Rusher is expected to be picked from Day 2 this coming April. That being said, this is a unique year and Phillips has consistently impressed as the playmaker for the Hurricanes. Don’t be surprised if Phillips sneaks into the first round while a team is betting on his head in an all-important defensive position.

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National Football League Draft, Jaelan Phillips, Miami Hurricanes Football, NFL, UCLA Bruins Football, Defensive Ending, NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, University of Miami