Gophers Make Top-3 for (Grad-Transfer) Arizona Linebacker

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Photo: Mike Christy-Arizona Athletics

After weeks devoid of any recruiting news, we finally received some over the weekend. Tony Fields II, a graduate transfer from the University of Arizona, announced his top three schools via Twitter on Sunday night. In addition to Texas and West Virginia, the other school in his top three was PJ Fleck and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. 

Fields II, who hails from Desert Pines High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, recorded 94 total tackles this past season for the Wildcats. He was second on the team in that category while also starting all 12 games. Additionally, Fields II totaled five tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble. 

With those stats, you might wonder why someone as productive and consistent as Fields II decided to transfer. While he didn’t reveal much in that area, he did at least adress it on Twitter. 

In any case, P.J Fleck and the Gophers were quick to jump on the Fields II bandwagon. They offered him just a day after he announced his plan to transfer. That quickness proved vital too, as Fields turned down subsequent offers from USC, UCLA, Kansas State, and Boise State.  

FILLING A VOID

If PJ Fleck lands the 6-foot-1, 220 pound Linebacker would be massive for the Gophers. Fields II would bring tons of experience to the Gophers. He played and started in all 37 games for Arizona in his career. He would also be able to fill the gigantic shoes of Carter Coughlin and Kamal Martin.

Junior Mariano Sori-Marin is the only current linebacker who has starting experience with seven games played in 2019. The Gophers are desperately in need of more help at that position. And to make matters worse redshirt-sophomore Braelen Oliver suffered an injury earlier in the spring. 

Fields II also boasts NFL-level talent. But don’t take my word for it, just look at this tweet from NFL draft analyst Jim Nagy.  

PJ Fleck has been in a bit of a dry spell recruiting wise over the last two months. But the addition of Fields II would surely make up for that. 

Carson Ruen | Minnesota Sports Fan

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