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UCLA Football: 5-star Commit DE Jaelan Phillips to Enroll Early

By Mike Regalado

Sep 3, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back James White (20) is tackled by defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes (47) and defensive lineman Takkarist McKinley (98) and linebacker Jayon Brown (12) during a game at Kyle Field. Texas A&M won in overtime 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back James White (20) is tackled by defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes (47) and defensive lineman Takkarist McKinley (98) and linebacker Jayon Brown (12) during a game at Kyle Field. Texas A&M won in overtime 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Football team will be getting a gift from the 2017 recruiting class sooner than expected as 4-star commit Jaelan Phillips will graduate high school early and enroll at UCLA.

The current recruiting cycle has not been up to the standards of previous years for Jim Mora and his UCLA Football team, but that does not mean it is at a loss.

Despite having only nine players committed, a few of them are highly-rated and could make an immediate impact with UCLA next season.

One of those is 5-star defensive end Jaelan Phillips (Redlands East Valley HS/Redlands, CA) who has said, on more than one occasion, that he is more than 100% committed to the Bruins.

The good news about Phillips is that he will be on the UCLA campus sooner than later as he has completed high school and will enroll early at UCLA, just in time for Spring Practice.

Phillips is #1 DE in the nation for a reason. His quickness, strength and athleticism is second to none as he wrecked havoc on opposing offenses last season.

With several Bruins graduating or declaring for the NFL Draft, Phillips’ early enrollment brings depth and talent to a line that loses starters Takkarist McKinley and Eddie Vanderdoes.

Next: UCLA Football Position Group Analysis - Defensive line

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With Mora’s knack for playing true freshmen, Phillips could very well see the field in 2017. Coming in to get a head start with spring practice will definitely help that become a possibility.