'Chip on the Shoulder Guy': Falcons Rookie Clark Phillips Driven to 'Dominate'
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Phrases can be overused and inaccurate - but that's far from the case with Atlanta Falcons fourth-round cornerback Clark Phillips III and "heart over height."
A unanimous All-American and the AP Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year at Utah, Phillips' tape, production and resume made him a top-50 prospect when he declared for the 2023 NFL Draft in December.
But on decision day, Phillips fell all the way to No. 113 overall, in large part due to teams being thrown off by his 5-9, 184-pound frame.
The Falcons won't complain, as they found strong value at a position of need - and added a player in Phillips who's been given all of the motivation needed to fuel his professional career, a drive that started long before his draft day slide.
"Always been one, always been a chip on the shoulder guy," Phillips told reporters Saturday. "So, that's not going to change. No draft, whether I went seventh round or first round, was going to add another chip. I'm that guy that always had one."
The 21-year-old Phillips was a consensus four-star recruit out of La Habra, Calif., and had offers from the likes of Alabama and Ohio State, who he was committed to for six months before flipping to the Utes on signing day.
Phillips became the highest-rated recruit in Utah history and earned a starting job as a freshman; he started all 31 games he played during his time in Salt Lake City.
In essence, despite his size, Phillips has been highly thought-of throughout his football career, proving his ability to overcome height concerns ... and he plans on doing much of the same with the Falcons, fueled by the same doubts that have long followed him.
"I've always been 5-9," Phillips said. "And being a corner at 5-9 is one of the more difficult things and I'm grateful for it because it's allowed me to keep that chip."
Phillips, a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award given annually to the best defensive back in college football, parlayed that chip into turnovers.
In 2022, Phillips hauled in a conference-high six interceptions, and across his Utah tenure, he took four of his nine picks to the endzone, tying a program record.
And yet ... pick No. 113. Even better ... Phillips has his sights set on seeing action early and often.
"I'm going to get on the field, and I plan on playing," said Phillips. "I want to play football and I'm glad I'm here."
A business administration major, Phillips said he still has some work to do but is glad to be able to focus on football full-time amidst his transition to the professional level.
Due to his size, many have pegged Phillips as a nickel, though Falcons coach Arthur Smith has said he can play both inside and outside. He spent most of his time at Utah on the perimeter but added he played a lot of nickel as well and feels comfortable inside.
But regardless of where he lines up, Phillips has shown time and again that he's going to make plays - thanks in part to his consistent preparation, study habits and intangibles that ultimately made the Falcons fall in love during the pre-draft process.
"I'm going to be competitive, I'm going to work my butt off, and I'm always going to approach it with a super serious mindset and try to dominate the man in front of me," said Phillips.
It's the same mentality that has helped guide Phillips to the sport's pinnacle, and one he doesn't plan on leaving anytime soon - after all, in his words, he's always been 5-9 or undersized in whatever capacity, forcing him to find other ways to win.
And by all accounts, Phillips has found those ways in bunches ... the first of which being the ability to play with the competitiveness and physicality needed to hang with larger receivers.
"It's the nitty gritty and it's a grown man's game," Phillips said. "I'm that guy that definitely turns up a notch. Being 5-9, I'm going to turn up with you."
When listening to Phillips speak, it's easy to see why he's accomplished what he has - his confidence, competitiveness, intelligence and passion jumps out. Turn on the game film or watch him practice and it's a similar story, as his words mirror his actions.
So, sure, Phillips is undersized - but he knows that. He also knows how to not only overcome his size but embrace it ... and his resume backs that up.
It's a world of cliches, and numbers certainly don't lie - but with Phillips, neither does the idea of "heart over height."
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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