Advertisement

Years after retiring from UCLA football, Dolphins’ Phillips ‘grateful’ to be back home

Dolphins outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips knows his stint at UCLA will always be a part of his story. It was a time that strained him not only physically but mentally, and culminated in his retirement from football after a string of injuries.

But as he stood on UCLA’s campus Wednesday, he felt gratitude for the journey and where it has taken him, now starring with the Dolphins in his second season.

“This whole city is real nostalgic for me,” Phillips, a Redlands native, said Wednesday. “It has a special place in my heart. Obviously it didn’t work out with football, but there’s no bad blood at all, man. I’m just grateful to be back here soaking in every moment. I’m so blessed.”

Phillips, ranked the No. 1 player in the Class of 2017 by 247Sports, said he found “the best of both worlds” at UCLA, 80 miles west of his hometown. Many of his family members either attended or taught classes at UCLA, including his grandfather, who at one time was the dean of the music school.

Phillips said he still has fond memories of his time in Westwood, including his debut, when the Bruins staged a 34-point comeback against Texas A&M and he had 1.5 sacks in the win.

“It went all downhill from there,” he said with a laugh.

In December 2018, Phillips officially announced he had withdrawn from UCLA, months after doctors diagnosed him with his third concussion and suggested retirement. Phillips turned to pursue a career in music before the University of Miami — among other programs — and former coach Manny Diaz came calling about returning to the game.

After a nearly two-year absence from football, Phillips reworked his body and returned to the form in Coral Gables that made him a highly coveted prospect in high school. He recorded eight sacks in his lone season with UM and then stayed in South Florida when he was selected No. 18 overall by the Dolphins in the 2021 NFL Draft.

“I kind of figured I’d be a No. 1 overall draft pick kind of thing,” Phillips said. “And then about half a season later, I was like, I might not ever play football again. So definitely a whirlwind of emotions. But like I said, ultimately I think God has a plan for everybody. I think his plan for me was to be able to set an example for people and I think that I’m exactly where I need to be now.”

Phillips set a franchise rookie record with 8.5 sacks and has been of the league’s most improved defenders in Year 2. He has five sacks and ranks top 10 in ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric — defined as how often a player beats a blocker within 2.5 seconds — forming a formidable tandem with Bradley Chubb, whom the Dolphins traded for in November.

Ninety-one family members and friends of Phillips will be at SoFi Stadium for the Dolphins’ Sunday night game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Phillips said he will “always be a Cali boy at heart,” and while he joked he misses the healthy food in Southern California — ”It’s bougie. It’s kind of how I am” — he will always have an appreciation for South Florida. It’s a place where he has not only revitalized his football career but has become an active member of the community. His philanthropic work was recently recognized by being named the Dolphins’ nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

“The community work I do isn’t about recognition,” he said. “It’s not about awards. It’s about uplifting the community, giving back to the community that did a lot for me and trying to inspire others to do the same. But it feels great obviously. I feel incredibly humbled and honored and just really grateful to be able to receive that nomination and really grateful for everybody on the Dolphins staff that’s helped me throughout this, everybody on my agency staff that’s helped me through all this.”