Head coach Dabo Swinney gave some good news for Clemson’s secondary ahead of Friday’s Gator Bowl against Kentucky.

Swinney said during the Gator Bowl coaches press conference Thursday that veteran safety Jalyn Phillips will play against the Wildcats after missing the last four games due to injury.

Phillips’ return to action provides a boost for the Tigers’ safety group that will be without Andrew Mukuba, who started all 10 games he played in this year prior to entering the transfer portal after the regular season.

“We’re getting Jalyn Phillips back. He’s a guy that’s been out for several games now,” Swinney said. “So, hopefully that’ll help us fill that void a little bit with Mukuba.”

Phillips enters the Gator Bowl credited with 34 tackles (2.0 for loss), five pass breakups and a sack over eight games (all starts) in 2023. He last played against NC State on Oct. 28, when he recorded two tackles and a pass breakup before exiting the game with injuries to his shoulders.

A fifth-year senior, Phillips has posted 186 tackles (5.0 for loss), 14 pass breakups, two interceptions, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery across 59 games (29 starts) in his career from 2019-23.

The Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., on Friday is set for a noon kickoff on ESPN.

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