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football Edit

Rivalry Review: USC, UCLA secure strong DEs

In this edition of Rivalry Review, we take a look at which commitment, Hunter Echols or Jaelan Phillips, is the bigger get for USC or UCLA respectively.

MORE RIVALRY REVIEWS: Michigan-Ohio State | Alabama-Auburn | Florida-Florida State

USC - HUNTER ECHOLS

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What type of player did they land? Echols, a former UCLA commitment, is a pass-rushing defensive end who isn’t that big but has excellent quickness off the edge and a great first step. He has a tall, lean frame with broad shoulders and long arms so he can add weight and with that will come strength and more power, especially in his lower body. He’s very good at using his hands as he likes to engage the lineman, disengage while getting them off balance and getting low either around or under them. His wingspan is impressive for his size and that length allows him to close on the quarterback quickly and reach running backs and even wide receivers who appear out of reach. He’s very athletic and does a lot of great work in space. Right now, size is the only drawback, but I could see him being a hybrid guy if needed because he can make many plays standing up. Speed is his best asset, but he plays with more power than you’d expect and doesn’t mind initiating contact.

What makes this a big get? Anytime you can flip a commit from your rival it’s a big deal and Cathedral is a big-time program in state, so this will only help recruiting efforts there. He’s an athletic pass rusher who can be used in many different ways and brings scheme versatility to the Trojans. An edge guy who can force the pocket and move the quarterback around is huge in any scheme, so the UCLA and in-state angle is big, but his talent makes this a bigger get.

UCLA - JAELAN PHILLIPS

What type of player did they land? Phillips is a stand-up player who gets after the passer as well as anyone in the country. He’s a freaky athlete with great size and a frame that will fill out with ease. He’s a bit raw technique-wise, but you can’t beat his length, power, get-off and knack for getting after the passer. This kid, once he learns to play with his hand in the ground, will be a terror because he loves to initiate contact. He gets linemen off balance with ease, has great pursuit and a non-stop motor and will be more explosive and have better leverage out of a three-point-stance. But even if UCLA uses him as a Carl Lawson-type stand-up pass rusher, he’s shown he can be effective and at times unstoppable.

What makes this a big get? Phillips committed while Echols was committed, so the 1-2 punch was amazing, but when Echols flipped to USC, Phillips became even more important. As a five-star talent and an elite pass rusher who likes to play physical, Phillips is a huge commitment for UCLA with the struggles the Bruins have had this season at the position. He solves a lot of problems for the UCLA defense if he pans out and there’s no reason to think he won’t. A huge in-state get as a top five player in California, he’s going to be a player the Bruins can point to as an example of a big-time talent who believes in the future of the program.

THE WINNER IS -- UCLA

Despite the fact that USC flipped Echols from the Bruins, the commitment of Phillips is bigger for UCLA and it’s a huge gap. UCLA has been a disaster on the field this season, Jim Mora will be on the early hot seat lists next year and recruiting has been affected. So to land a player like Phillips who also fills a key position of need and hold onto him is huge. Echols is versatile as well, but he’s not as big or as powerful when it comes to handling bigger linemen and Phillips' ceiling is so high because he has much to learn about becoming a defensive end. If he picks that up, he will be a superstar for the Bruins and be the type of player who makes others work harder because he never stops coming after the quarterback. Both players are very good and should have great careers, but UCLA needs Phillips much more at this stage.

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