Rodney Fields Jr. Goes In the Portal, That Makes it Virtually Complete

STILLWATER – New Oklahoma State head football coach Eric Morris and his staff coming from North Texas knew they had to make major changes in Cowboy football. They did with a virtual complete turnover in football staff. They intentionally told a number of players they needed to go into the portal, but whether they intended all of them, the vast majority to go, I’m not sure. It is now turning out that way. No. 52 to go into the transfer portal is leading rusher and running back talent Rodney Fields Jr.

Fields, who was very loyal to Oklahoma State throughout his recruiting and beyond because his late father was a big fan of Oklahoma State athletics, led the Cowboys in rushing this past season with 614 yards on 124 carries and an average of 5.0 yards per carry. He only had one rushing touchdown, but was often substituted for a bigger back in the score zone. 

Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics

Fields is an excellent receiver as well and probably had the catch of the year against Houston.

He was also a good receiver this past season. In the absence of reliable pass catchers, Fields caught 28 passes for 276 yards and a touchdown. 

Fields Jr. was one of the best players in Oklahoma at Del City and played some as a freshman, four games while retaining his redshirt. In those games he had 21 carries for 99 yards and a touchdown against Texas Tech. He had 42 yards all-purpose at Baylor. He had eight carries for 38 yards against BYU, including a 22 yard run, his longest of the season.

In his high school career, playing for OSU former player Robert Jones, he helped Del City to a district championship, a 13-1 record, and a Class 5A State Championship runner-up. In his prep career, he totaled over 3,100 yards rushing, 1,000 yards receiving, and 54 touchdowns combined on the ground and through the air. Fields will be a top target of schools across the country.

They all missed out recruiting Fields Jr. because he committed very early and stayed with Oklahoma State never entertaining any other schools. 

“I was always going to Oklahoma State,” Fields told me back then. “My dad was a Cowboys fan and his dream was for me to play for OSU.”

His cousin LaDainian Fields is a top corner that got a lot more playing time late last season and had two interceptions. So far, no word on LaDainian other than he is still on the roster.