Oklahoma transfer Patrick Fields joins Stanford for journey that ‘began back in 2017’
STANFORD, Calif. (BVM) – Patrick Fields led the No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners in total (9) and solo (6) tackles during their dominating 47-32 win over No. 12 Oregon in the Valero Alamo Bowl last week. He was named defensive MVP of the game and just wrapped up his third consecutive season as a starter for the Sooners, but the impact safety has played his last down in Norman.
“But when its all over all that counts is how the story's told
So write my name down write my aim down
To do this my way and carve my own lane out”
– @NipseyHussle pic.twitter.com/j6VM6kg1pb— Patrick Fields (@PatrickFields24) December 31, 2021
Fields announced his intentions to complete his master’s in management science and engineering at Stanford on a full-academic scholarship less than 24 hours after the Valero Alamo Bowl’s final whistle. On Thursday, Cardinal head coach David Shaw announced Fields’ addition to the program for the 2022 season.
“We are excited for Patrick to join our program,” Shaw said in a press release. “He brings maturity, high character, and the experience of playing the game at a high level.”
Fields was named a team captain and started all 13 games for Oklahoma in 2021, notching 80 tackles (47 solo) – good for second on the team – and added five tackles for loss, two interceptions and one pass breakup. The strong season earned him honorable mention All-Big 12 honors. Fields’ final game at Oklahoma was the second time in two years that the playmaking safety led the Sooners in tackles in their bowl game. He notched a team-high eight tackles in a Cotton Bowl victory over No. 10 Florida to cap the 2020 season where he started all 10 games he played.
The Tulsa, Oklahoma, native made an immediate impact in Norman, playing in six games as a freshman in 2018 before being named honorable mention All-Big 12 and starting all 14 games as a sophomore. Fields helped the Sooners to a 44-8 record with three Big 12 championships during his time in Norman, including two bowl victories and back-to-back appearances in the College Football Playoff Semifinals (2018, 2019).
As impressive as Fields’ on-field accomplishments are, it was academics that drew the William V. Campbell Trophy finalist – given to the nation’s top scholar-athlete – to Stanford.
“This Stanford journey began back in 2017 when Coach Akina came to visit me at my high school,” Fields said in a press release. “Since then, I always knew I wanted to be a Cardinal. My passion for Stanford is greater than words could explain. I took a PhD-level Mathematical Economics course at OU just so I could receive the math prerequisite for the MS&E program.
“I left directly from the Alamo Bowl to drive to Stanford so I could arrive for the first day of classes. Stanford is the best academic and athletic university in the country, seen through not only their success in football, but other sports such as women’s soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and others. I can’t wait to step foot on campus for the first time in my life and meet my new teammates and family.”
Fields has one season of eligibility remaining and will be a welcomed addition to a Stanford defense that allowed the most yards per game (451.2) in the Pac-12 in 2021. He’s just the third graduate transfer in program history, joining Brennan Scarlett (2015) and Isaiah Sanders (2020-21).
Welcome to The Farm, @PatrickFields24‼️
A three-year starter and team captain at Oklahoma, Patrick began classes at Stanford on Monday and has one season of eligibility remaining!
🗞 » https://t.co/1vL3OCWkzF#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/hBgmKR6ie4
— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) January 6, 2022
