https://www.seccountry.com/sec/justin-fields-recruiting-contenders
5-star QB Justin Fields goes in-depth on recruiting, contenders and decision
5-star quarterback Justin Fields throws Sunday at the NFA7v7 national championship.
Chris Kirschner/SEC Country
Zach Abolverdi
Posted 1 hour ago
BRADENTON, Fla. — Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is catching some shade underneath a cabana after his 7-on-7 team, led by 5-star QB
Justin Fields, has notched a 31-8 win in its third game of the NFA7v7 national championship Sunday.
A reporter approaches Newton and requests an interview about Fields, the nation’s No. 1 dual-threat passer from Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Ga. Newton politely declines to talk, but does make this declaration:
“Justin Fields is the best recruit in the country. Write that down.”
5-star quarterback Justin Fields (right) receives pointers from his 7v7 coach, Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton. (Chris Kirschner/SEC Country)
That’s quite a compliment from the 2015 NFL MVP and former Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn. It also serves as a testament to the transformation that Fields has made in the past year.
After all, he hasn’t always been the nation’s most talked-about prospect.
“I think it was before spring last year, I just wanted an offer from Mercer,” Fields said with a laugh. “So I’ve definitely come a long way.”
Fields now holds more than 40 scholarship offers, but Mercer doesn’t have much of shot. He’s being pursued by several powerhouse schools and big-name coaches who want him to be their quarterback of the future.
Fields believes he can be a program-changing player in college, but the Elite 11 finalist hasn’t always felt that way.
“No, I’m going to be honest,” Fields said. “I probably didn’t feel that way last year. I guess, I didn’t know I was this good. I feel like sometimes I doubt myself when I shouldn’t. God’s blessed me with a great gift.”
That gift was on display Sunday, as Fields picked apart several secondaries with his downfield vision and pin-point accuracy. He threw eight touchdown passes through the first three games with zero interceptions.
The pressure and expectations of being a high-profile quarterback doesn’t bother Fields, nor does the recruiting process.
“You just have to embrace it,” Fields said. “All the talk, you can’t let it get to your head. You just have to keep working, just how I was when I didn’t have any offers. So that’s just how I take it.”
“I don’t really text a lot of coaches, so it’s not really [weighing] that heavily on my life. It’s not really that big of a deal. I’m just taking things slow right now. It’s not that stressful.”
Justin Fields is ranked the nation’s No. 1 dual-threat quarterback and No. 3 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite. (Chris Kirschner/SEC Country)
Fields said Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Georgia are the main schools he’s focused on. He added that Alabama, North Carolina and Ole Miss are still involved a little bit.
“Georgia and Florida, those two are probably [recruiting] the hardest. Florida State, too,” said Fields, who will visit UF this week after recent trips to Georgia, Auburn and FSU.
Fields reiterated that he’s not sure when he’ll make a commitment, but he hopes to do so before his senior season. His determining factors are academics, relationships with coaches and their track record of player development.
Newton has advised Fields on his decision-making process.
“I honestly do not know where I’m going to go,” Fields said. “Cam tells me just do what’s best for me. All these colleges, they want you to come help them. But really, just find the best fit for you.”