Countdown To Kickoff: 19 Days (Tony Fields)

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Tony Fields saw plenty of action as a freshman in 2014. He will compete for a starting spot in 2015.

Tony Fields saw plenty of action as a freshman in 2014. He will compete for a starting spot in 2015.

Written By T.J. Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

#19

There are now fewer than three weeks left before the Indiana Hoosiers take the field against the Southern Illinois Salukis to begin the 2015 season and to begin their march to what we all hope ends up being a bowl game. Our countdown is now on day #19 which means we are taking a look at a key member of the IU secondary, sophomore Tony Fields.

Tony Fields

  • Height: 5’11”
  • Weight: 205 pounds
  • Hometown: Tallahassee, FL./Amos B. Godby High School
  • Year/Position: Sophomore/DB

The arrest and removal of Antonio Allen is well-documented at this point. One of the things we have attempted to do here at Hoosier Huddle is write about, and discuss, what the loss of Allen means for the IU defense. Which players will be ready to step up? Who is thrust into a more prominent position than we had previously expected? One of the first names that popped into our mind when we knew IU was looking for a new starting safety was Tony Fields. Fields, a 5’11” hard-hitter from Tallahassee, appears to be the most likely candidate to start next to Chase Dutra when the Hoosiers open the season against Southern Illinois on September 5. Let’s take a look back at how Fields got to this position.

Born on September 25, 1995, Tony Fields grew up in Florida and excelled as a safety at Amos P. Godby High School. He finished his career with 314 tackles, 13 interceptions and 15 pass breakups. As a senior, he was a team captain for a 10-2 squad that won a district championship. His on-field play earned him the number 44 ranking on ESPN.com’s list of high school safeties and the dual-sport start (football and basketball) chose IU over offers from TCU, Mississippi State, Michigan State and others.

As a freshman, Tony Fields played in all 12 games and made 14 tackles and one pass breakup. His best game of the season probably came at Missouri where he garnered four stops and his lone pass breakup. He was expected to be a good rotation player in 2015 but Allen’s departure opens the door for him to earn a starting spot. Fields is a talented player that has the size and build you want in a B1G safety. He’s inexperienced but there’s little doubt that he has the hard-hitting instinct and speed to become a good starter in the Hoosiers secondary.

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown keeps on rolling as we head to #18. Come back often to read all of our great preseason content as we continue to get you ready for the 2015 season.