Four-star Phillips picks UCLA over Stanford

Four-star linebacker Jaelan Phillips studied UCLA and Stanford closely, visited both schools multiple times and Thursday reached a decision.

He was ready to commit to the Bruins.

“There were a lot of factors,” Phillips said. “Academics and athletics are the best in the country. Stanford has more prestigious academics, but when it comes to UCLA they’re not shabby at all.

“I want to get into broadcasting and the L.A. area has more connections, definitely a better area for broadcasting so I think arguably for what I want to do UCLA is a better fit academically for me.”

Academics played a role in his decision, but the Redlands (Calif.) East Valley star also had to take a serious look at the football side as well. That sold him even more.

Phillips, one of the top prospects in the state of California, has developed a great relationship not only with the UCLA coaches but its players and many commits already in the class.

That was something Phillips did not want to overlook.

“I have a great connection with the coaches, a great connection with the players and the commits and recruits,” Phillips said. “I felt really welcomed there and I felt I’d be really comfortable going there for the next four years.

“I have a lot of family ties. I’ve been a Bruin my whole life, grew up a Bruin fan. It has a special place in my heart. It was a gut feeling for me in the end. It’s hard to turn down a Stanford degree, but I felt I’d be more comfortable at UCLA.”

UCLA and Stanford were the two favorites for Phillips, who rounded out his top five with USC, Notre Dame and Washington. He’s expected to play a defensive end/outside linebacker role in Westwood.

With many months to go before National Signing Day, Phillips said he’ll be responsive to coaches who still recruit him but will make it clear he’s absolutely sticking with the Bruins.

“I’m going to be pretty firm about shutting it down completely,” Phillips said. “I’m not going to be taking any other official or unofficial visits. I’m shutting it down 100 percent.

“I hope people will respect that. I’ll be cordial and I don’t mind talking to people but I will let them know I’m 100 percent committed and that’s not going to change barring any kind of crazy disaster happening at UCLA.”