Ducks Digest

The Latest With Oregon and Top CB Target Dakoda Fields

The Ducks just landed an All-American cornerback and the staff has their sights set on Fields in 2024.

Max Torres

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Oregon recruiting surged up to No. 7 in the national recruiting rankings (per 247Sports) earlier this week with the addition of Ify Obidegwu, an elite cornerback from Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy.

He's the first corner in Dan Lanning's class and the staff has had their eye on Gardena (Calif.) Serra cornerback Dakoda Fields for a long time, especially after signing his teammate Rodrick Pleasant in 2023.

The 6-foot-2, 183-pound defensive back is one of the top defensive players out West and has three official visits locked in for June.

"I have SC the 2nd through the 4th. Miami the 16th through 18th and Oregon the 23rd through 25th," Fields told Ducks Digest at Serra's spring showcase.  

Fields is working on adding one more official visit for the weekend of June 10 and thinks a trio of schools could be in line to get that trip.

"I think Ohio State, Washington and Cal."

A lot of top recruits look to wrap up their recruitments before their senior seasons start and that looks like it'll be the case for the tall and rangy defensive back.

"If I feel like one of the official visits was just that good I might commit in the month of June, but if not I plan on committing on my birthday August 6."

Cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin was at Serra's Showcase on Tuesday and the Ducks are one of the schools recruiting him the hardest.

"I think the main three schools would be Ohio State, Oregon and (U)SC."

Both Martin, as well as defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi are leading the way for the Ducks. Fields said he hears from them or at least one member of the Oregon staff on a daily basis.

Every recruit's approach to the process is different and he spoke about how he reacts to the attention he gets from Oregon and other schools.

"It makes me feel special," Fields said. "I feel like it's a gift and a curse because someone like me, I really don't like getting my phone blown up every day. But if it's just like two or three coaches that I'm consistently talking to it's okay. But if it's a bunch of different colleges it starts to get overwhelming."

Fields has been to Oregon numerous times including the Washington game last season and an unofficial this spring, so he's very familiar with the program and what stands out the most about the Ducks.

"I think for me it's just the coaching staff and the culture of the school," he said. "I feel like Coach (Dan) Lanning and Coach Tosh coming from SEC schools, (I) feel like the culture is just really good, the energy is high. Feel like they'll be ready for this season."

He's also been able to build relationships with 2024 Oregon commits as well as a few players the Ducks signed last cycle.

"I have been talking to the quarterback who just committed Luke Moga. I talk to Aaron Flowers. Can't really like of any more 2024s but I have a couple 2023s I talk to Rodrick (Pleasant), Daylen (Austin) and Cole (Martin). I talk to them a lot."

Oregon is clearly in a great spot, but the hometown Trojans are making sure to stay involved and they're led by a pair of coaches on the defensive staff who were also at the showcase.

"Right now Coach Donte (Williams) and Coach (Alex) Grinch are the main leaders. I talk to Coach Donte probably every day too. 

"I haven't been on a visit in about two months but I liked the last one I went on. Been building a relationship with them too. I'm excited for the official."

What's the appeal with USC and why are the Trojans a contender?

"I mean one, it's home. The weather's great. I think it's gonna be a big move them going to the Big Ten, going against teams like Ohio State and Michigan," Fields said. "But I think if I do go there I think I'll be ready for just going against the receivers that they've been recruiting in the past couple years. Just going against the best receivers in practice every day could help too."

The USC staff has built a strong connection that reaches beyond football

"Coach Donte and Coach Grinch, I just feel like I could talk to them about life. Not just football. I could talk to them on a personal level. I really appreciate that."

Fields is holding one factor above all others as he weighs his options.

"Just comfortability. I just want to be comfortable at the school. I just don't want to go to a school and then wake up on the first day and be like 'why did I come here if I didn't want to go there?' I'm just taking my time, making sure I make the right decision."  

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Max Torres
MAX TORRES

Max Torres is the publisher and lead editor of Ducks Digest. He's covered the Oregon football and recruiting beats for four years. He's based out of Long Beach, CA and travels around Southern California and the country covering top high school football prospects.

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