Jaelan Phillips

Sophomore linebacker Jaelan Phillips has left UCLA and it’s unlikely he returns, according to sources.

The departure is injury-related, even though it’s not being characterized as a medical retirement.

In 2018, Phillips experienced a concussion and other injuries and played in just four games. He suffered injuries in 2017 as a freshman that limited him to playing in six games that season.

Phillips left UCLA during the fall quarter.

There is an outside chance he could return to UCLA, if UCLA’s medical staff deems him fully recovered from his injuries.

Sources close to the situation believe, if he returns to football, it’s more likely he submits his name into the NCAA transfer database and moves on to another school and program.

Phillips would have to sit out one year due to NCAA eligibility rules.

One factor precipitating the transfer is Phillips considering his future without football. He wants to pursue a music production/technology degree, which UCLA doesn’t offer.

Phillips, the 6-6, 255-pounder, was the No. 1-ranked prospect in the nation when he came out of high school in 2017. UCLA won his recruiting battle over Stanford, Alabama and others.

Phillips had 41 tackles and 4.5 sacks in his two seasons.