Jaelan Phillips

Jaelan Phillips is a Miami Dolphins linebacker entering his fifth season in the NFL. He was selected by Miami in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft as the 18th overall pick and made an immediate impact, setting a Dolphins rookie record with 8.5 sacks. Phillips continued his development in a successful second-year campaign, starting 15 of 17 games and totaling 61 tackles and seven sacks. His seven sacks led the team, and he became only the second player in franchise history to have at least seven sacks in each of his first two NFL seasons. Though he was limited to only eight games in 2023 due to injury, Phillips made his impact known, totaling 6.5 sacks that ranked fourth on the team. Prior to his season-ending injury in Week 12 of the regular season, he had a sack in five straight games. Although his fourth season was also cut short due to injury, Phillips continued to pour into his local community. He remained steadfast in his dedication to South Florida causes, especially as a member of the Dolphins Cancer Challenge executive board. As a board member, Phillips established the Art of Giving Back, an event partnering with the Miami Design District to connect art, fashion and music to raise funds for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. In 2024, he also established the Jaelan Phillips Foundation, whose mission is to empower youth by reducing barriers and providing meaningful connections and opportunities for success. He channeled his passion and talent for music into his foundation, committed to providing an inclusive environment for youth to achieve their full potential through comprehensive music education and physical education programs. Phillips has approached his off-field work in the South Florida community with tenacity since entering the league. He immediately aligned with team initiatives and dedicated efforts and resources to various causes and local community organizations including Lotus House Women’s Shelter, Miami Rescue Mission, Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program, the VERB Kind and Dolphins Cancer Challenge. After beginning his collegiate career at UCLA, Phillips transferred to the University of Miami where he earned first-team All-American and second-team All-ACC honors. Phillips continued to pursue his degree after beginning his NFL career and earned his Bachelor of General Studies in May 2024. In addition to his community work in South Florida, Phillips also dedicates his resources and energy into youth camps and community programming in his hometown of Redlands, California.