By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Gabe Fields had many lucrative options on where to get his college education, and where to play football, at the next level.
The soon-to-be senior and running back from St. Joseph Central had 18 Division I offers in all - three from schools in power five conferences.
In the end, Fields chose Vanderbilt University in the SEC.
"This whole football thing is to set you up for your future," Fields told KFEQ Radio. "Whether it's NFL or getting a good scholarship so you don't have to pay no money. So, I mean, that's the whole point of me trying to chase the pathways, and I think I made a good decision choosing Vanderbilt."
Fields, a 4.0 GPA student, will study business management at Vanderbilt - a school that has a 6.7% acceptance rate. He was first offered by the Commodores on February 1. Fields visited on May 31 and announced his commitment June 7, ending what was about a two-year recruiting process.
For Fields, it all began with an unofficial visit to Iowa State - the first of about 14 visits in all.
"I went up to (Kansas) twice, Iowa State five times, Mizzou 2-3 times, Vanderbilt once," Fields said, recalling all of the stops he's made.
Fields enjoyed getting to travel the country, visiting various campuses. He admits these decisions for young athletes can be difficult. Fields’ biggest piece of advice to any athlete being recruited - stay focused on the things that matter.
"Don't chase the money, don't chase the fame, don't chase anything that won't make you a better person," Fields said. "At the end of the day, you have to put the work in and grind, even when people aren't looking. You have to do things other people won't and lead by example. Be the best version of yourself each and every day."
"Got to stay away from drugs and all of that stuff, because that's just throwing you off the course. You have to find the right group of people to push you."
Fields’ talent has been evident throughout his varsity career. The three-star prospect rushed for 1,396 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior in 2023, while catching 16 passes for 292 yards and two scores last season as well.
As a sophomore, Fields rushed for over 1,200 yards and 17 scores. He's is also a standout in basketball, earning first-team all-Greater KC Suburban Conference honors this past season. Fields holds a 4.53-second 40-yard dash time and a 11.57-second 100-meter dash time as a sophomore.
Central just had its first winning season season in football in a decade with a 7-3 campaign last fall - the most wins in a regular season for the Indians since 1989.
Coach Sheldon Ferrell takes the reigns as head coach this year following the departure of Regi Trotter.
Fields says he and coach Ferrell have always worked well together. Ferrell was the Indians' offensive coordinator for each of the past five seasons.
"My sophomore year, our connection grew through football and just working out," Fields said of Ferrell. "He sees what I do, so I think, over time, just getting experience and building the bond further and further each and every year."
With his college decision already made, Fields hopes to make the most of one last season in an Indians uniform.
"It definitely takes a lot of stress off," Fields admitted. "You get to have fun. You don't have to worry about, 'Where I am going to go? Is this offer going to get pulled? Am I going to get this offer?'"
"You can just have fun with everything and enjoy the moment. You can just go play football now. Get strong, faster and hope for the best."
Full interview
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