Martina Fields said she’s ready to travel.
With her son Darryl finally cementing his college football future Wednesday, trips to Lubbock, Annapolis, Houston, and New Orleans will soon fit into her fall schedule.
Darryl Fields made his commitment to Southern Methodist official during a signing ceremony for three Madill players at the school’s gymnasium. Linebacker Brad Avery and wide receiver Kevin Roberts signed with Southwestern Oklahoma State.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Fields didn’t pull any tricks Wednesday. He stuck to the verbal commitment he made in November, the commitment to join the Mustangs on the rise.
“I pretty much knew when I verbally committed where I was going to go,” Fields said. “SMU was my No. 1 (choice) from the beginning.”
No. 1 out of a list including a number of Big 12 schools and Tulsa.
“The last few weeks was hectic for me,” Madill coach Kerry Roberts, Kevin’s father, said. “I had a few schools ask me for his phone number, and Darryl asked not to be bothered. I wouldn’t give it to them.”
Fields was the only south-central Oklahoma player to sign a football letter-of-intent with a major program. He’s joining a team coming off its winningest season in 25 years (7-5), culminating in a 45-10 win over Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl.
“I can’t wait to be out there and be a part of a college football team,” Fields said. “They actually think I got a chance to make it to the NFL.”
Fields likely won’t have to wait through a redshirt season to show what he can do on the college level. Junior Shawnbrey McNeal announced last month he would enter the NFL draft in April, opening the door for the All-Ardmoreite Offensive Player of the Year.
“It makes me feel got to know they’ve got that much confidence in Darryl,” Martina Fields said about the SMU coaches’ outlook for her son. “They see what we (in the family) see in him — a lot of potential.”
Darryl Fields led Class 3A with 1,495 rushing yards and scored 25 rushing touchdowns. He added two kickoff returns for touchdowns and two more scores in seven receptions.
He and Avery led a defense that was second in Class 3A with 181.4 total yards allowed per game. Fields had 60 tackles, but Avery led the Wildcats with 105 tackles and two interceptions, returning one of them for a touchdown.
