The Oklahoman's Super 30: How TCU camp 'opened everything' for Del City's LaDainian Fields
DEL CITY — Larry Fields tried to contain his anxiety as he sat outside TCU’s indoor practice facility.
The gates to a football camp earlier this summer were closed. No parents allowed as a plethora of college football hopefuls were running their 40-yard sprints in front of college coaches.
LaDainian Fields was among the group.
And the mystery was killing his father.
“I didn’t know what he ran or anything,” Larry said.
Until the doors opened and LaDainian walked by and said a few startling words.
“I ran a 4.4,” LaDainian said.
In that moment, Larry doubted what he heard. But LaDainian had all of the attention. Several college coaches gravitated his way during the next set of defensive back drills. Del City High School coach Robert Jones’ phone was ringing non-stop.
LaDainian, who had recently moved to Del City from Southeast, was suddenly a star.
“It opened everything,” he said.
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In less than a handful of seconds, Fields flashed impressive speed and crazy potential. He skyrocketed in recruiting circles and earned multiple Power Five offers within 24 hours.
And now entering his senior season at a new school, he’s ready to prove it was not a fluke.
“Blessed,” Fields said, flashing a huge smile. “I like my recruiting. I didn’t like how I had to wait, but it’s all glory to God.”
Fields, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound defensive back and receiver, is No. 18 on The Oklahoman’s Super 30 recruiting rankings for the 2024 class.
He holds offers from Washington and Washington State. Abilene Christian, Texas-San Antonio, Kent State, Navy, North Texas, San Diego State and Wyoming have all offered scholarships as well.
And the list is expected to grow throughout the fall.
“It’s kinda crazy,” Jones said. “He came over rated pretty high as a receiver. He jumped the ceiling as a DB.”
Fields’ recruitment has primarily been at defensive back, though some have offered at receiver. Some consider him a pure athlete and just want to get him on campus.
“Right now, it is hard because I want to go to college and do both,” he said. “Right now, I’m leaning towards defense. That’s where I feel more comfortable.”
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But at Del City, Fields is going to do it all.
He’ll play receiver. He’ll play cornerback. He’ll play some safety. He’ll be a kick returner and punt returner.
Whatever it takes to get him the football to utilize his speed.
“It’s going to be fun to have that much talent, that much speed out there,” Jones said. “I think LaDainian has developed over these last couple of months into something that’s going to be special.”
Fields moved to Del City in March, leaving Southeast alongside his cousin and Oklahoma State running back commit Rodney Fields Jr. Both were looking for more with their move.
For LaDainian, there was a family connection.
Larry went to U.S. Grant High School with Jones before both transferred, Jones to Carl Albert and Larry to Southeast.
That’s led to a big opportunity for LaDainian.
“From the first day, they’ve treated me like family,” he said. “I just wanted that competition. It’s been competitive. We’ve been working.”
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The competition has brought out the best in Fields, who is also a basketball star with small-college scholarship offers.
He’s being pushed in practice, often facing off against future stars like Ricklan Holmes II and Aaron Carter Jr. Fields has rapidly grown physically and mentally. And he’s improved as a football player.
“We already had pretty loaded team before he came over here, so I think our competitiveness in practice is really going to elevate his play,” Jones said. “He’s not going to be the best person at practice all the time. He’ll be the best but he’s going to have to compete his butt off.”
Then more good things will happen. More attention will come.
And perhaps more jaw-dropping moments in front of college coaches.
“He’s got a unique athleticism that a lot of people are going to get to see this year,” Jones said.
The Oklahoman’s 2024 Super 30
Name: LaDainian Fields
School: Del City
Super 30 ranking: No. 18
Ht.: 6-foot-1 | Wt.: 180 pounds
Position: Wide receiver/defensive back
Recruited by: Abilene Christian, Army, Kent State, North Texas, San Diego State, Texas-San Antonio, Washington, Washington State and Wyoming.
About the series
The Oklahoman’s Super 30 feature series will spotlight each high school football player on the Super 30 recruit rankings for the 2024 class. The series continued Sunday with No. 18, Del City’s LaDainian Fields. See No. 17 on the list in Monday's edition. Here are the last five players featured.
No. 22: River Warren, QB, Del City
No. 21: MJ Graham, DB, Westmoore
No. 20: Micho Lavine, LB, Millwood
No. 19: Josh Aisosa, OL, Edmond Santa Fe
No. 18: LaDainian Fields, WR/DB, Del City
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: The Oklahoman's Super 30 Del City's LaDainian Fields has big speed, goals
