IUFB Pro Day Primer: Safety Tony Fields

Tony Fields is looking at the next level Image: IU Athletics

Written By Evan McShane (@veryreasonable)

Tony Fields is hungry to continue his football career as he will participate in IU’s Pro Day on April 3 in Bloomington. Fields joined Indiana University as part of the 2014 recruiting class. He joined IU as a top-100 defensive back from Amos P. Godby High School in Tallahassee, Forida, was brought into IU to provide stability in the secondary. Fields was a two-time All-State selection as a safety in high school, where he earned a spot as the 44th best safety of his class. He had a successful two-year basketball career before devoting his athleticism entirely to football. Fields was extremely diligent growing up, both on and off the field. He won an academic award his senior year of high school on top of being an honors student for four straight years. Indiana knew they were getting a stand-up guy, and Tony Fields would further prove himself in Bloomington as a stellar football player and outstanding individual.

Throughout his productive career at Indiana, Tony Fields proved he has a wide range of skills as a defensive back, safety, and more. He’s capable of making big plays in the passing game and stepping up to make tackles in the running game. Fields made an impact immediately for the Hoosiers. As a true freshman, he saw action in all 12 games and recorded 14 tackles. During Fields’ sophomore year he played in 13 games and recorded 19 tackles. His most memorable moment of the season was the first interception of his career. He ran it back 20 yards for a touchdown, proving that Fields is not simply durable, but he can make game-changing plays.

In 2016, IU brought in Tom Allen to be their new defensive coordinator. At the time, Allen was known for his defensive turnarounds, and Indiana desperately needed a makeover on defense. As a team known for giving up big plays, it was imperative that multiple players step up their game in the secondary. Tony Fields once again came through for the Hoosiers. Much was expected from Fields as an upperclassman. He delivered. Fields racked up a career-high 70 tackles and recorded two more interceptions. He recorded eight-tackle games against Purdue, Penn State, Ohio State, and in the Foster Farms Bowl. He earned defensive player of the week against Penn State. He flashed his ability to tackle in the open field while also coming up with a timely interception:

Fields helped anchor an Indiana defense that was one of the most improved defensive units college football has ever seen. The stability he provided Indiana’s secondary during Tom Allen’s transition to head coach proved vital, as well. Versatility was the name of Fields’ game during his successful senior campaign. For the first three games of 2017, Fields played safety as usual. Tom Allen made the decision to bring Fields up into the box and play the husky position in effort to shore up the run game. Yet again, Fields delivered. In his first game at husky against Penn State, he racked up ten tackles. He’d finish the season with five tackles for a loss and 57 tackles in total. He added another interception while being named defensive player of the week twice – against Michigan and Rutgers. He capped off his Hoosier career by winning the team’s Harold Mauro “Loyalty to IU Football” Award.

When it was all said and done, Tony Fields found himself to be the only football player in Indiana history to play in 50 games. He started 20 of them. His career tallies included 159 tackles, four interceptions, and nine pass breakups. Fields graduated from IU in December 2017. He didn’t put his football career on rest after graduation. Fields was selected to play in the third annual Tropical Bowl along with quarterback Richard Lagow. The Tropical Bowl offered Fields the opportunity to showcase his skills in front of NFL scouts and general managers. Fields hopes to continue making a name for himself among talent evaluators with a strong performance at IU’s Pro Day.

Fields always did whatever was asked of him to help his team. He was productive and stable at multiple defensive positions throughout his career. His remarkable durability and flexibility is a valuable asset in the eyes of professional football scouts. He is slightly undersized, and some analysts may label him as a ‘tweener’ as opposed to touting his versatility. For now, Fields is relishing the opportunity to continue his football career and hoping he can turn it into something special. Hoosier nation is rooting for Tony Fields as he pursues a career in the NFL.

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