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UCLA linebacker Jaelan Phillips retires from football for health reasons

Jaelan Phillips (15) and Nate Meadors (22) close in on Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder last season.
(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)
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UCLA sophomore outside linebacker Jalean Phillips, one of the team’s top pass rushers, has retired from football after his season was cut short by a concussion, a school spokesman said Saturday.

Phillips was one of the most coveted recruits in school history out of Redlands East Valley High but played in only 11 games over two seasons — including four games last season — because of injuries.

Phillips was sidelined by an ankle injury and a concussion in 2017 and suffered another concussion in 2018. He also underwent two surgeries in the offseason because of a wrist injury after being hit by a car.

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He finished his career with 41 tackles, 4½ sacks and eight tackles for loss.

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