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Clark Phillips III Named Finalist For Jim Thorpe Award

by Utah Athletics
Nov 29, 2022

OKLAHOMA CITY – University of Utah Football cornerback Clark Phillips III has been named a finalist for the 2022 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, which is awarded to the best defensive back in college football.

Phillips is one of three finalists, and Utah's first finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award in program history. The winner will be selected by members of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA, the award's national committee, former winners, and sportswriters throughout the country.

The winner will be announced live on Dec. 8, on The Home Depot College Football Awards with the official presentation taking place in Oklahoma City at a later date. A fan vote will open at 11 a.m. MT today, closing at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3.

This season, the Lakewood, Calif., native has 23 tackles (2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack) and is tied for the national lead with six interceptions with his two pick-sixes being the second-most in the country. His eleven passes defended (6 INT, 5 PBUs) all came in Pac-12 play, tying for first in the league.

He earned national praise for his performance against Oregon State, notching three interceptions, including a 38-yard pick-six. His three picks against the Beavers is tied for the most in a game by a Power Five player this season, also leading the Pac-12 this season in single-game interceptions.

After his three interception and three-tackle performance against Oregon State, he put up two stops and an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown at UCLA. His 142 interception return yards this season ranks fourth nationally.

Phillips also recorded a season-high four tackles in Utah's win over USC, grabbing his first-career sack for a loss of eight yards while contributing two pass breakups.

Phillips has started in every single game he has appeared in (30), holding nine career interceptions with four pick-sixes. He is one of just two Power Five players with four career interceptions returned for touchdowns, and is the only active player in the Pac-12 that has reached that feat.

Clark Phillips III • 2022 Awards & Accolades

  • Jim Thorpe Award Finalist (Nov. 29)
  • Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalist (Nov. 1)
  • Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist (Oct. 24)
  • Midseason All-America (AP, CBS Sports, College Football Network, Pro Football Focus, Sporting News, The Athletic)
  • Jim Thorpe Award Player of the Week (Oct. 6)
  • Chuck Bednarik Award Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 4)
  • PFF Team of the Week (Oct. 3)
  • Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 3)
  • Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 2)
  • Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List
  • Chuck Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List
  • Preseason All-America (AP; Athlon Sports; Phil Steele; Pro Football Focus; Pro Football Network; Walter Camp)

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