Top 2024 CB Dakoda Fields is Ready to Get Back to Eugene
The Oregon Ducks signed cornerbacks Rodrick Pleasant, Daylen Austin and Solomon Davis out of Southern California in the 2023 class and it's looking like Demetrice Martin intends on going back to the major talent hotbed in 2024.
Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra cornerback Dakoda Fields is one of the best players in California this cycle and will return to Oregon for a multi-day unofficial visit next week starting on April 10.
He's continued to feel the love from the staff since his last trip to Eugene in November.
"I haven't been there since the Washington game," he said of why he's taking the trip. "Coach (Dan) Lanning, Coach Meat (Demetrice Martin) and Coach Tosh (Lupoi) really been wanting to see me, so (I'm) excited to get back up there."
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound defensive back will have his eye on a couple of aspects this trip.
"Probably more of the academic side. More of the school side. Probably take a trip around the campus a little more cause I saw most of the sports facilities, so this time I probably want to go around the campus where I'll be going to school."
The Ducks have put in a lot of work with him and have maintained a good standing in his recruitment despite his offer sheet growing to feature 25 schools across the country.
"Right now I think Oregon is still a top school, maybe a top-three school for me," Fields said about where the Ducks stand.
What have Dan Lanning and company done to put themselves in that spot?
"The coaching. I love the coaching," he said. "Coach Lanning, Coach Tosh from the SEC so they really are football masterminds. Coach Meat has a very good history of coaching DBs also.
"We have former teammates, former people I know Cole Martin, Daylen Austin and Rod (Rodrick Pleasant). They play a part in my decision too."
Looking outside of Oregon the speedy defensive back took his first trip to Columbus and left with one big thing standing out about the Buckeyes.
"Number one thing to me is just the competition," Fields said. "They play a lot of good competition. I think the main thing I like about it is just the culture and the coaching. They work hard every day. Every day you're competing. That's what I love about it the most."
Ohio State has sent a number of talented defensive backs to the NFL and that only strengthens their appeal.
"They have a very good history," he said. "They also have I believe the most first-round DB's in the past 20 years. I got to build a pretty good relationship with Coach (Tim) Walton the DB coach and I got to talk to Coach (Ryan) Day a little bit."
USC has stayed in the picture and Fields has visited the Trojans three times in the past month and a half.
"I've just been building a relationship with Coach Donte (Williams) and Coach (Alex) Grinch. I'm just excited to see where things go over there."
With so many schools extending offers, a smaller group is recruiting him the hardest.
"I would say Oregon, Ohio State, USC, Washington, Louisville, Alabama and Cal," Fields said of who he's hearing from most.
Fields will head to Eugene next week but has some other trips he's hoping to take.
"Hopefully I can get up to LSU and Alabama before the season starts."
He plans to announce a top seven in the next month or so and has started to think about official visits.
"I might take an official to SC in June but I'm not for certain yet. I think most of my OVs are going to be during the season."
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