UCLA LB Phillips to retire due to injuries

UCLA sophomore linebacker Jaelan Phillips has medically retired after two seasons, a Bruins spokesperson told ESPN. Phillips appeared in just 11 games for UCLA over two seasons on the heels of being ranked as the top defensive recruit in the country in the ESPN 300 Class of 2017. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Phillips registered 20 tackles during the first four games of the 2018 season, highlighted by collecting nine with a sack against Cincinnati. His campaign ended after sustaining a concussion in late September and was ruled out for the season on Oct. 15. Phillips was sidelined by an ankle injury and a concussion in 2017. He also underwent two surgeries in the offseason because of a wrist injury after being hit by a car while riding on a scooter. "I'm just ready," Phillips said of his return in August, per the Los Angeles Times. "Just crawling out of my skin ready to jump out there and make plays." Phillips finished his career with 41 tackles, 4.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss with UCLA. Bruin Report Online reported there is a chance Phillips could return to football if he is eventually cleared to play. Should that be the case, Phillips would likely transfer.