Hard Hitting 2017 Oklahoma SS Evan Fields Knocking Out Interest Beyond Regional Schools

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

There are two positions on the defensive side of the ball that would have a job positing description of “wanted: must love to hit – if so apply now!” Those two positions are safety and linebacker and Evan Fields plays both positions like both positions.

Clarification for some readers unsure about the previous line. Linebackers are typically closer to the line of scrimmage with a run stop mentality first followed by the ability to drop back into coverage. Safeties are the last line of defense against the pass and the run thus must be able to drop back, come downfield in a hurry, or go sideline to sideline to nullify anything an opposing offense may bring their way. Again, this fits the game abilities of Midwest City High School Class of 2017 safety Evan Fields.

Fields is listed at 6’2”, 193 pounds, and has the speed to hang with just about anyone running a 4.5 forty-yard dash. The Oklahoma talent racked up just about every honor imaginable for a junior earning All-State, first team All-Vype, All-Conference, and All-District honors after coming up with 126 tackles, three interceptions, 25 pass breakups, and one forced fumble.

Colleges in the region are aware of Fields’ abilities with Arkansas State, Houston, Tulsa, Wyoming, Texas State, and Memphis all extending offers. Teams showing various levels of interest includes Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Arizona State, Missouri, Notre Dame, Ohio State, TCU, Texas, and Texas Tech.

The Bombers went 6-4 last season but have big expectations for the 2016 season. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Fields to go over his All-State junior campaign, find out what he is working on in the offseason to help make a possible championship run during his senior year, and received a recruiting news update in the process.

Interview

Evan, you had an outstanding junior season. At this point in your high school career what are your strengths on the field as a safety?

“I can play zone really well and I am good at making an open field tackle. I’ve been working on man coverage a lot. I think I am a well-rounded safety now. I can play corner, safety, or anything the coaches need right now.”

What were some of the strides that you made from your sophomore to junior season on the field?

“My tackling. My sophomore year I could tackle but I was not consistent and would miss some. I rarely miss now. Coverage wise, I’ve learned how to read the quarterback better. I can read three-step drops and jump routes now. My instincts have gotten stronger too.”

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

“I think we have a good chance to win state. We were young last season and this season we have a lot of juniors and seniors with experience coming back. I plan on winning state. All-American would be a goal. I want to try to get over three or more picks and get 100-plus tackles again.”

I was going to ask you about that. How do you beat a 126 tackle season?

“I don’t know. We went against a bunch of run-first teams. When we did, I would roll down into the box, especially against a two-back formation. I rolled down at linebacker and we played a 4-4 in the box. I had a lot of opportunities last year, hopefully I will get the same opportunities again this year.”

How will your role change this year compared to 2016?

“I think I’ll play more on offense at wide receiver. If we go against a good wide receiver I’ll play man against him, other than everything will be the same.”

What was your best game last season, against which team, and why do you consider that your best game?

“It be against Choctaw (won 28-21). I had 14 tackles, an interception, and I think I had double-digit pass breakups in that game. I got the pass breakups not on my man but breaking off to the receiver. I think I dropped a pick that game too. I should’ve had one more interception.”

What are you working on in the offseason to prepare for that title run?

“I’m doing a lot of man coverage. I can’t work with my defensive backs coach from school because of the rules, so I go down to Dallas and train with my personal trainer there. I do a lot of lifting with my coach at school. He’s helped me gain a lot of weight. I was 134 pounds as a freshman and now I am 193 pounds. He’s helped me get faster too. I’ve been working on my speed in the 40. I’m at a 4.5 now. I’m just trying to be well-rounded.”

What have you maxed out on in bench and squat lately?

“I took second in a meet benching 275. My squat is 405 and my dead lift is at 485.”

Impressive.

“Thank you.”

What offseason camps are you going to coming up?

“I’ve been to the (Nike) Opening regional and to Rivals. I may – it all depends. Most teams are coming to watch me at spring practice. If I get some schools after spring ball – it all depends on how spring ball goes.”

Which teams are coming to watch you this spring?

“I think it’s a lot. Most of the college coaches talk to my coach (Darrell Hall). He has not told me all of them. I think Houston, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and I think Arizona State. I think more are coming but I’m not sure which schools.”

Obviously the schools you just mentioned are showing interest in you, are there any other schools actively recruiting you but have not offered you yet?

“Arkansas, Nebraska – they’ve asked me to come to their spring game so I may go there, and I get a bunch of mail from Stanford, some hand-written. A bunch of schools talk to me but those are the schools that are the most active that I may get offers from down the road.”

You have six offers right now. Of the schools you have offers from, are there any pushing a little bit harder than the other to get a verbal commitment from you?

“Memphis is pushing the hardest. Houston is starting to push hard too and so is Texas State.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits either during last season or so far during this offseason?

“I went to Arkansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Houston, and Kansas State.”

Was there anything that caught your eye about the differences between the high school and college level from your visits?

“Their practices are livelier. I guess what I mean to say, it seems like there is more action and the guys are working hard in a more extreme atmosphere. The facilities are different. They have equipment there that can take your game to the next level. I’ve talked to the players, the school work is much different. You have to study and be on point. You can’t be late with your school work and turn it in.”

How did your visit to Arkansas go?

“I liked it a lot. The staff was cool. Their facilities were really good. The field was super cool. The chant, their “Woo Pig Sooie” chant was the coolest. It starts quiet and gets louder and louder. That’s the best chant I’ve ever heard.”

How did your Oklahoma visit go?

“I’ve been there a few times. I went to one game last year, I saw the TCU game. I grew up watching them, I would not say I’m a big fan but I am a fan. I know about the Boomer Sooner stuff. At the game, you hear the Boomer Sooner and it gets crazy. The fans would not sit down. You had to stand up to watch the game the fans were so into it. I’ve been to a basketball game, and it was the same. Te fans don’t sit down they stand up the entire time. I liked it, it was pretty cool.”

Do you have any unofficial visits coming up?

“I’m going to the Oklahoma State spring game. I think that’s it right now. I know I’ll hit up Arizona State, Houston, and some of the Texas schools in the summer time. When I’m in Arizona, I may hit up other Pac-12 schools.”

Do you have a time frame on verbally committing to a school?

“It depends how things go this spring and in the early summer. I may – I’m not worried about getting as many offers as I can, I just want the school that fits me best. I may do it at the end of the summer or I could wait until the season is over. I may make a Top 10 list before the season if I don’t commit before then, but I want to focus on winning at state championship once the season starts.”

What are the main factors you will consider in choosing a college?

“I’m thinking about majoring in kinesiology. I want to find out about that. The fit. The coaching staff, I want to have a good relationship with the staff and my position coach. That’s pretty much it, my major, right fit, and if it feels like home to me.”

I can tell you right now, all the schools will tell you they have a great kinesiology program.

“Yeah, I’ve noticed that.”

What spring sports are you playing for Midwest City?

“Power lifting and track.”

Which track events?

“The 100 meters and 200 meters. This year I’ve only done the 200.”

What is your personal best in the 100?

“My sophomore year I ran an 11.18. I think I can get into the 10’s this year.”

What is your personal best in the 200?

“My last 200 I ran a 22.08.”

What are you aiming to run at your peak in the 200?

“I want to break 21. We have some dudes on my team that can fly. I think we have three that can break 21. We have one of the fastest guys in the state. The other day he ran a low 21 – he can float.”

How are things going in the classroom?

“I have a 3.8 GPA.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I have already taken the ACT and took it again yesterday.”

Are you feeling good about the second test?

“I made an 18 on the first one. I think I broke the 20’s on this one. It felt easier, especially the math.”

Last question, what is your favorite part of playing football?

“I want to win. My favorite part is the feeling after winning a game. I like preparing all week and let it all out on the field during the game.”

Evan, thanks for your time today. Good luck with your spring ball visitors and upcoming unofficial visits.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Fields family; Evan Fields at Oklahoma State

Photo credit: Fields family; Evan Fields at Kansas State

Photo credit: Fields family; Evan Fields at Memphis