The national early signing period began Wednesday for college football programs around the nation, but the highest-rated player on the Utah Utes’ wish list — Clark Phillips III, a defensive back out of California — didn’t put pen to paper until Thursday morning. Phillips had originally committed to Ohio State but had a late change of heart. According to the University of Utah, Phillips is the highest-rated recruit ever to commit to the program. Ute Insiders Dirk Facer, Jody Genessy, Mike Sorensen and Joe Coles break down the first two days of the signing period and talk bowl preparation as the Utes gear up for their Dec. 31 showdown with the Texas Longhorns. They also revisit the Utah basketball team’s stunning victory over No. 6 Kentucky on Wednesday night in Vegas. That and more on this week’s episode. 

<p>The national early signing period began Wednesday for college football programs around the nation, but the highest-rated player on the Utah Utes&rsquo; wish list &mdash; Clark Phillips III, a defensive back out of California &mdash; didn&rsquo;t put pen to paper until Thursday morning. Phillips had originally committed to Ohio State but had a late change of heart. According to the University of Utah, Phillips is the highest-rated recruit ever to commit to the program. Ute Insiders Dirk Facer, Jody Genessy, Mike Sorensen and Joe Coles break down the first two days of the signing period and talk bowl preparation as the Utes gear up for their Dec. 31 showdown with the Texas Longhorns. They also revisit the Utah basketball team&rsquo;s stunning victory over No. 6 Kentucky on Wednesday night in Vegas. That and more on this week&rsquo;s episode.&nbsp;</p>

Longtime Deseret News Ute beat writer Dirk Facer leads a weekly discussion into the world of University of Utah athletics.

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