COLUMBUS, Ohio — Shortly before 2 p.m., Clark Phillips III’s YouTube channel included a video titled: “Making it Official – BIA” That video commemorated the day last June that the La Habra, California, cornerback committed to Ohio State football and its defensive back tradition. The channel’s home page featured a photo of Phillips in a Buckeye uniform in front of the tunnel through which the team runs onto the field, under the sign “Home of the Buckeyes.” Shortly after 2 p.m., Phillips’ made another announcement via his Instagram feed. Phillips decided instead to sign with Utah, and the Buckeyes’ large and highly ranked recruiting class — No. 3 nationally by the 247 Sports composite — suddenly had a hole at a position of need. Phillips did not mention Jeff Hafley’s pending departure to become head coach at Boston College, but the timing of that announcement and Phillips’ decision is at…
Continue Reading: With Clark Phillips III flipping to Utah, Ohio State football faces cornerback urgency in 2021 recruiting
