Tag: Jalyn Phillips

Grading Clemson’s defense at the bye week

How has Clemson’s s defense performed this season? Here’s a grade for the unit at the Tigers’ bye week.

The 2022 college football season has been far more friendly towards Clemson, with the Tigers defense performing at a high level like fans have become accustomed to.

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers currently rank as the No.5 team in the country with an undefeated record 8-0 (6-0 ACC) and will get some much needed rest this weekend during their bye week. While the Tigers have played some great football this season, the bye week is coming at a great time as the team struggled in their 27-21 win over Syracuse.

As we wait for more Clemson football past the bye week, now felt like a time to break down and asses how the Tigers have been performing this season. 

Here is a look at our grades for Clemson’s defensive performance so far this season. 

What We Heard: Jalyn Phillips

Senior safety Jalyn Phillips sat down with the media this week ahead of Clemson’s homecoming game against Syracuse on Saturday. Before the start of the season, Syracuse was predicted to be last in the Atlantic Division of the ACC. However, despite …

Senior safety Jalyn Phillips sat down with the media this week ahead of Clemson’s homecoming game against Syracuse on Saturday. 

Before the start of the season, Syracuse was predicted to be last in the Atlantic Division of the ACC. However, despite those odds, they remain undefeated and are ranked 14th in the nation after defeating NC State this past Saturday.

“ I am not surprised at all, I don’t even get into the preseason stuff because you just never know what is going to happen,” Phillips said.

“They have a great running back, one of the best in the nation, so we’ve got to really prepare for him,” Phillips continued. “The quarterback, he likes to run and throw. We know that they’ve got a lot of weapons, so we’re going to have to prepare for that. There’s definitely going to be a lot of things on our hands, and we better prepare well for it.”

Quarterback Garrett Shrader, a junior from Charlotte, has made the most of his second year with Syracuse, throwing for more than 1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is a dual threat on his feet being physical and difficult to tackle, which contributes to Shrader rushing for more than 300 yards and five touchdowns in the Orange’s first six games.

“We know that he is a great quarterback that likes to use his feet,” Phillips said. “You know we have to be able to match routes throughout the plays and things like that. We’ve got to contain him. It’s going to be a great challenge this week. He is very physical. We’re going to have to really tackle him. He is not going to slide or things like that, so we’ve got to be aware of that.”

This past weekend, the Tigers had a 20-point lead over Florida State heading into the fourth quarter. However, the defense ended up giving up 14 unanswered points in the fourth, whih made the game a lot closer than it should have been.

Phillips said that, going into this week, finishing is the main focus at practice.

“That is the main thing that (head) coach (Dabo) Swinney preached to us,” Phillips said. We’ve just got to finish well. We can’t really play to a scoreboard. That’s one thing that we’re going to take into consideration after this week.

“The No. 1 thing for this program is effort. You know just giving great effort, you never know what is going to happen throughout the play, so just finishing the play no matter what.”

Tigers talk about the challenges Syracuse’s offense presents

Clemson’s defense is up for a big test this Saturday versus an undefeated Syracuse team. Led by junior quarterback Garrett Shrader, the Orange are riding high on confidence after a dominant victory over NC State. Members of Clemson’s defense spoke …

Clemson’s defense is up for a big test this Saturday versus an undefeated Syracuse team. Led by junior quarterback Garrett Shrader, the Orange are riding high on confidence after a dominant victory over NC State.

Members of Clemson’s defense spoke Monday about what particular challenges Shrader and star running back Sean Tucker present to the Tigers’ defense, which is looking to level up this week after having a tough time stopping the run game of Florida State.

Cornerback Sheridan Jones shared what he believes are the assets of Syracuse’s offense.

“They have a great backfield,” Jones said. “Their quarterback is tough. Their running backs are tough. They have receivers that can make plays. It’s going to be a hard-fought game.”

Time and time again, the players talked about the effectiveness of Syracuse’s run game. The running back unit is led by the sophomore Tucker, who has 644 rushing yards, six touchdowns and an average of 5.2 yards per carry this season.

Defensive tackles coach/defensive run game coordinator Nick Eason knows Tucker is a dominant force in the Syracuse offense.

“He’s the best back we see this year,” Eason said. “He does a lot of great things. He’s got great vision. He can break tackles. He can run, running outside, running inside, and he can catch it out the backfield. So, it will be a huge challenge for us this week.”

Tucker, who scored a late 25-yard rushing touchdown in the win over NC State, has the ability to utilize his speed and his vision to evade defenders and move the ball downfield for the Orange.

However, Tucker is not the only star of Syracuse’s offense. Shrader has proven to be dynamic for the Orange as well.

With 1,434 yards passing and 12 touchdowns against only three interceptions this season, Shrader is coming into Death Valley with a high level of confidence. It’s not just his passing game that makes him a successful quarterback, but also his ability to run with a high level of physicality. He has 300 rushing yards and five scores on the ground this season as well.

Clemson safety Jalyn Phillips shared what he believes makes Shrader’s run game a threat to the Tigers’ defense.

“He’s a great quarterback and he likes to use his speed, so we need to match him route to route throughout the play,” Phillips said. “We really have to contain him. He’s a really good quarterback, so it’s going to be a good challenge this week.”

“He’s very physical, so we know we are going to have to tackle him,” Phillips added, “because we know he’s not going to slide.”

With the talent of both Shrader and Tucker on offense, the Clemson defense will be up for a true test when it comes to how effective it can be in stopping the run game and pressuring the quarterback.

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Goodwin becoming a ‘quiet storm’ in new role

In his own words, Clemson defensive coordinator Wesley Goodwin says he is becoming more “demanding” of his players. The first year as defensive coordinator has proven to be a learning experience for Goodwin, but in recent weeks, players and coaches …

In his own words, Clemson defensive coordinator Wesley Goodwin says he is becoming more “demanding” of his players.

The first year as defensive coordinator has proven to be a learning experience for Goodwin, but in recent weeks, players and coaches have emphasized that Goodwin is finding his voice and becoming somewhat of a “quiet storm.”

Defensive tackles coach/defensive run game coordinator Nick Eason described how he believes Goodwin has grown as a leader in his new role during the season.

“What’s Wes like, he’s a quiet storm, he’s a little storm,” Eason said. “He’s not as quiet, but he is constantly making adjustments on the sideline. He challenges our guys every day in meetings.”

Graduate senior cornerback Sheridan Jones reiterated much of what Eason had to say, adding he likes this new side of Goodwin.

“He’s a little meaner, but he has to be, being a defensive coordinator now,” Jones said. “Didn’t really yell in the past couple years, but he’s yelling now.”

Goodwin stressed last week it is about being demanding rather than demeaning of his players. He is focusing more on his delivery being more intentional and heated when need be, but always focusing on asking the players to do more in terms of performance.

Senior safety Jalyn Phillips shared that while most see Goodwin as a “quiet guy,” he actually can be more intense than what we see on the surface.

“Wes, people think he’s such a quiet guy, but Wes is a mastermind,” Phillips said. “He’s going to get after you if he needs to. He’s quiet sometimes, but he will get after you when he needs to. He’s a great coach. I trust in him in everything he does.”

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Swinney ‘super pumped’ to have entire defense available

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is ready to see his defense have “all hands on deck” against Florida State on Saturday.

Clemson’s defense could return all 11 starters against Florida State on Saturday, and head coach Dabo Swinney is more than ready for the unit to be at full strength.

Although defensive end Xavier Thomas returned last week against Boston College, several other starters were out that game — a reoccurring theme for the Tigers since Week 1.

Now, the coaching staff is optimistic that defensive tackle Bryan Bresee, cornerback Sheridan Jones and safeties R.J. Mickens and Tyler Venables will all be available against the Seminoles.

After the team’s Wednesday practice, Swinney expressed his excitement to see the defense have all its players at its disposal.

“I’m super pumped to have all hands on deck,” Swinney said. “They’ve all been there at one point or another, but having everybody available at one time, we really haven’t had that just yet. Hopefully, we’ll be able to really play at a high level and play sharp, play smart, keep guys fresh.”

Bresee has missed the last two games due to a kidney infection, Jones has been out three games for a stinger, while Mickens and Venables only missed last week.

Even if the entire group returns to the field this week, the defense will have their hands full against a balanced and productive Florida State offense.

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Phillips talks changes and versatility of Clemson’s defense ahead of Monday’s opener

Georgia native and starting safety, Jayln Phillips, has grown on and off the field this offseason and has set high expectations for himself and the team after coming off its worst season since 2014. Speaking with reporters Wednesday, just days out …

Georgia native and starting safety, Jayln Phillips, has grown on and off the field this offseason and has set high expectations for himself and the team after coming off its worst season since 2014. 

Speaking with reporters Wednesday, just days out from the Tigers’ season opener against Georgia Tech, Phillips recognized the biggest change he has seen in himself this offseason is his confidence. Which he says can be attributed to really understanding the playbook and learning himself and from the players that came before him. 

“Learning from the guys that were here before me, guys like Nolan Turner. You know and really learning the playbook, and as you learn the playbook you gain confidence from that,” Philipps said Wednesday “Just believing in myself has been what really helped me take that stride on the field… learning who I am, my body and just what I can do best.”

Amid all the changes throughout the offseason for Phillips, one of the biggest was losing his best friend on and off the field, Andrew Booth Jr, to the NFL last April. If Phillips can learn anything from Booth heading into the season, it is how to dominate the field and in the secondary.

“He just told me to make it count, make every day count,” Phillips said of Booth, a second-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2022 NFL Draft. “He has definitely been in my ear telling me to do what is best for me and to go out there and dominate, so I can be up there with him one day.”

Even with the loss of a valuable player like Booth, Phillips is confident in the versatility of the defense because of the amount of depth within it.

“The coaching staff does their best to put guys out there that they can trust, so that just tells you that our defense is really deep,” he said. “We can go out there with the 1s or 2s and the standard does not change, so that just tells you that our coaches trust a lot of guys on the defensive side.”

Throughout the offseason, Mike Reed and Mickey Conn focused on making sure each player within the secondary also knew how to play and perform well in multiple positions.

“To learn to play multiple positions was our main key coming into the spring and fall,” Phillips said. “Guys can play nickel, corner, strong or free, so that’s basically the main focus this year is for us to learn both sides”

Looking ahead to Monday night’s game, Phillips is excited to be playing 30 minutes away from his hometown of Lawrenceville, Georgia, and to have his whole family in attendance. He is also looking forward to facing some old buddies but ultimately is focused on the task at hand.

“It’s going to be crazy… I know a couple of guys on their team, so it is definitely going to be fun,” he said. “First game, one of our goals is to win the opener, so it is definitely going to be fun to go out there and compete with the guys”

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Greene’s voice heard this spring despite absence

Malcolm Greene is out this spring, but it hasn’t stopped Clemson’s defensive back from letting his voice be heard in the secondary. The rising junior cornerback has been the Tigers’ primary nickel when healthy, but Greene is still working his way …

Malcolm Greene is out this spring, but it hasn’t stopped Clemson’s defensive back from letting his voice be heard in the secondary.

The rising junior cornerback has been the Tigers’ primary nickel when healthy, but Greene is still working his way back from offseason surgery on his shoulder, an injury that limited him to 10 games a season ago. But fellow defensive backs Jalyn Phillips and Andrew Mukuba said Greene is the best trash talker Clemson has got among the group, and he’s done plenty of chirping at the receivers from the sideline.

“Malcolm is hurt, but you’re going to hear him every single day. I promise you,” said Phillips, who’s in line to take over for the departed Nolan Turner at free safety. “He brings the energy every day.”

Mukuba said Greene isn’t shy about getting on his teammates in the secondary, too, if he notices something that needs to be corrected, though that isn’t exclusive to Greene. Phillips said that goes for all the defensive backs as they try to hold each other accountable.

“We’re all going to let each other know at the end of the day,” Phillips said.

But Mukuba said Greene “talks trash a lot,” which, in his opinion, isn’t always a bad thing.

“He gets the juice going for everybody out here,” said Mukuba, who’s coming off a freshman All-America season at strong safety. “To be honest, I kind of feed off of Malcolm.”

Greene has 31 tackles, four pass breakups and an interception in 22 career games with his only three starts coming as a freshman in 2020. In his absence, rising sophomore linebacker Barrett Carter and even Mukuba in certain packages are among those who’ve gotten reps at nickel this spring.

As for who the best trash talker is among the receivers, Mukuba said it’s E.J. Williams, who’s also out this spring recovering from knee surgery.

 

After biding his time, Phillips set for starting role on back end of Clemson’s defense

Jalyn Phillips has practiced his share of patience at Clemson. Phillips is beginning his fourth year in the program after signing with the Tigers in 2019 out of Archer (Georgia) High, where he was teammates with a more high-profile Clemson signee …

Jalyn Phillips has practiced his share of patience at Clemson.

Phillips is beginning his fourth year in the program after signing with the Tigers in 2019 out of Archer (Georgia) High, where he was teammates with a more high-profile Clemson signee that year, Andrew Booth. Unlike Booth, a two-year starter who’s widely projected to be a first-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft, Phillips has yet to carve out a consistent starting role on the back end of the Tigers’ defense.

In fact, Phillips has started just seven games for the Tigers to this point while competing amid a crowded room of talented safeties the last handful of seasons. He sat behind Tanner Muse, Nolan Turner and K’Von Wallace, a fourth-round draft pick in 2020, as a freshman. He then bided his time the last two seasons at free safety behind Turner, an All-American in 2020 who’s hoping to hear his name called in this year’s draft after playing in 65 career games over six seasons at Clemson.

Not everyone was willing to wait it out. Joseph Charleston, another safety who was also part of Clemson’s 2019 recruiting class, entered the transfer portal midway through last season, but Phillips said that thought never crossed his mind.

“Trust the process,” Phillips said.

That process appears to be paying off.

Phillips is now the favorite to be Turner’s successor at free safety entering his senior season. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder has repped there almost exclusively with the first-team defense this spring, though Phillips said he’s doing some cross-training at strong safety, too, something his position coach, Mickey Conn, is having most of the safeties do in order to create and maximize versatility at the position.

While Phillips wasn’t exactly content with being a backup the last few years – “(starting) should be everyone’s goal when they come in,” he said – he was confident he’d eventually rise to the top of the depth chart at what he admitted was one of his dream schools. Having grown up approximately 90 miles down the road, it’s also a more convenient trip for his family to make to watch him play at Clemson, which is one of the primary reasons he said he stuck it out.

“And playing under a guy like (defensive coordinator) Wes (Goodwin) and a guy like Coach Conn,” Phillips said. “Genuine men. Guys that love you on and off the field. Coach (Dabo) Swinney, another guy that loves you on and off the field no matter what it is. Playing under them and playing for my family is really the big reason why I go so hard.”

Phillips saw the most extensive playing time of his career last season. He played in 12 games and started six of those filling in for an injured Turner, using a skill set that he believes is different from those that came before him at the position to finish the season with 47 tackles and three pass breakups.

“I’m more like a mixture of all of them,” Phillips said of his playing style. “A guy that can come in the box and fit. A hard hitter. Go in the slot and cover and has got range over the top. Just being able to do it all.”

But in an ironic twist, Phillips believes it’s what he learned from his successor that has him in position to play his largest role yet on Clemson’s defense. Phillips credited Turner for helping him grow his mental capacity for the game in the film room, where Phillips said it was a daily “routine” for the two to watch tape together.

“I appreciate him the most,” Phillips said. “Some people, they hate on the guy that’s in front of them, but I never in my life will hate on another man. I just really learned the game from him. He really slowed things down for me player-wise. That’s the reason he’s one of my close friends to this day.”

Phillips said it’s helped him take his game to another level, and he’s not the only one who holds that opinion. Conn said he’s seen a different level of confidence from Phillips this spring and has watched him emerge as the leader in the safety room, a role Phillips said is still taking some getting used to for him in some aspects.

“Coming in, I always did what was right, did what coach needed me to do and did a little extra, so I feel like I’ve always been a leader about what I’ve been doing,” he said. “But this year, taking on that role, I’m trying to be more vocal and get some of the young guys in and watch some film because I know how it was for me when I first came here. Everything was fast and everything is fast on the field. You might know it on the paper, but as soon as you get out here (on the field), your mind goes crazy.”

Said Swinney, “He’s been around here. He’s been a good player and he’s started some games for us, but he’s just really kind of come into his own as a fourth-year guy.”

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Conn has high praise for pair of safeties

Clemson has a lot of continuity returning to the backend of its secondary. That’s why Mickey Conn’s goal coming into the spring was being able to cross-train those in his position group so they could play both strong and free, as well as the nickel. …

Clemson has a lot of continuity returning to the backend of its secondary.

That’s why Mickey Conn’s goal coming into the spring was being able to cross-train those in his position group so they could play both strong and free, as well as the nickel.

This has allowed second-year standout Andrew Mukuba to play cornerback, nickel and some strong safety. From what Clemson’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach has seen from Mukuba thus far, he feels like the Austin (Texas) native has “definitely” made that next step.

“Mukuba’s a special player and he’s doing it at three different positions,” Conn said following Wednesday’s scrimmage at Memorial Stadium. “All that knowledge, all that’s gonna do is help him and help us get more speed on the field at times when we need to. He’s definitely improved a ton.”

Mukuba, who received Freshman All-American honors last season, was credited with 54 tackles (two for loss), nine pass breakups, a fumble recovery and a sack in 576 snaps over 13 games (10 starts).

That wasn’t the only player in the backend of Clemson’s secondary that figures to start, which Conn praised Wednesday. He also had some high marks for Jayln Phillips, who made six starts for the Tigers in 2021.

“JP’s been incredible,” Conn said when asked about the senior safety. “He’s stepped in and I feel like he’s got a lot more confidence. He’s a lot more seasoned right now. He’s played a lot. He started in several games. He’s really embraced his role.

“And what he did in the Cheez-It Bowl, man, he was fantastic. He had a great game. I think he had two pass breakups, had a few big hits in that game and then he’s come out this spring and really emerged as a leader for that group. He’s just eager and hungry to learn and get better. And I feel like his coverage skills have gotten a lot better too.”

Dabo Swinney mentioned Phillips as one of those guys who has stepped up this spring and really impressed him. Clemson’s head coach said Wednesday that Phillips is finally coming into his own. 

Out of the returning players in Clemson’s secondary, Mukuba and Phillips are not the only safeties impressing this spring — Conn talked up Lannden Zanders, RJ Mickens and the work of Tyler Venables off the field. That’s not even mentioning Sherrod Covil, who has exceeded expectations as an early enrollee. 

And while no starters have been named just yet, Mukuba and Phillips started the most games out of any returning members of Clemson’s secondary last season. Both of them having standout springs will only pay dividends for the Tigers going forward.

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Clemson DB putting in the work

A key member of Clemson’s safety rotation last season has been putting in work as he prepares to begin spring practice with the Tigers next Wednesday, March 2. Jalyn Phillips has been working with Grindseason Sports Training, honing his craft and …

A key member of Clemson’s safety rotation last season has been putting in work as he prepares to begin spring practice with the Tigers next Wednesday, March 2.

Jalyn Phillips has been working with Grindseason Sports Training, honing his craft and sharpening his skills as he gets ready for his upcoming senior campaign.

A versatile defensive back, Phillips enters the 2022 season credited with 70 career tackles (1.5 for loss), five pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble in 553 defensive snaps over 37 games (seven starts). He recorded 47 tackles (1.0 for loss), three pass breakups and a forced fumble over 357 defensive snaps in 12 games (six starts) as a junior in 2021.

You can check out clips of Phillips working out below:

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