Despite Leading Nation in Interceptions, LaDainian Fields Sticking with Same Message That Helped Him Land Starting Job

Support PFB with a PFB+ membership — $8 a month or $50 for a year.

MANHATTAN, Kansas — Oklahoma State cornerback LaDainan Fields looks for the same message everywhere.

It’s easy enough to do considering that on his eye black during the game and the back of his cell phone, Fields carries “From the bottom” with him just about everywhere. If he remembers to bring an Expo marker with him the night before games, he will even write it on mirrors in the hotel bathroom.

“I (also) like to write it on my (own) bathroom mirror so when I wake up and I brush my teeth and I see it every day,” Fields said to reporters on Tuesday.

This isn’t one of those reminders that he sees so often it just disappears into the background of his life. If the reminder written on his mirror fades, he pulls out the Expo marker and rewrites it.

That’s not all he’s rewriting.

After recording two interceptions in Saturday’s 66-28 win at Kansas State, Fields is now one of only nine Cowboys to ever record seven interceptions in the same season. The only other one to hit that mark since 2000 is Justin Gilbert, who did so in 2013. Two more picks will give him the school record.

Fields has now hauled in six of those interceptions in the last four games. Throughout this run, he maintained that this is just business as usual despite the fact that he entered the game tied for the national lead in interceptions this season on Saturday.

On Saturday, Fields deferred credit to his teammates, starting with linebacker Taurean Davis.

“Wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have had it,” Fields said of his second interception. “First one, D-line was getting back there. It is just props to those guys. I know I get the picks. … but it is really props to those guys.”

Eric Morris wouldn’t reveal what was in the piggy bank, but said Fields gets to pull something out each time he records an interception. Whatever the prize, Morris could go broke if his corner keeps up this pace.

“I think you could tell he was emotionally charged before this game,” Morris said. “He talked about it all week. … I’m just super proud of him with just the growth. He loves to compete. I’m super proud of him.”

Fields usually maintains a respectful but nonchalant, or easy-going, attitude during interviews with reporters regardless of the topic. He made an exception when discussing his cousin, former Cowboy running back Rodney Fields, who finished the game with 99 total yards and a touchdown for the Wildcats.

“It’s an emotional game,” LaDainian Fields said. “This one was circled since January 15th, since I found out he was coming here, so this has been a game I’ve just been wanting to play hard for.”

It might sound harsh, but Fields sounded like he was describing a sibling rivalry when he said tackling his cousin in the first quarter was “breathtaking.” Then said he read his cousin’s expression in the second quarter when he turned his target into a 27-yard interception.

“I seen Rodney’s eyes get big so I knew it was trying to come to him,” Fields said.

It’s not that long ago that Fields’ chances of playing meaningful snaps as a Cowboy were up in the air. Fields emerged as a bright spot last season, but only after coaches gave him a shot following the defensive coordinator change, meaning it’s at least possible he doesn’t crack the rotation, much less become a starter, if the Cowboys don’t make changes to the coaching staff.

Then he had to start all over again with new coaches.

“I think he just had the length and the speed that you’re really looking for to be an elite corner,” Morris said. “I think, just for me though, he has just gotten so much better in the 10 months that we’ve been here. Even thinking back to spring ball and into camp, it’s been a process to get him there. He’s worked his tail off to put us in those positions.”

When asked point blank if Saturday’s performance was the kind of thing he dreamed about when he rode the bench, Fields said yes without hesitation.

“I mean, part of me was like that (just wanting a chance to prove myself),” said Fields when asked what things were like before he finally broke into the rotation halfway through the 2025 season, which was his second collegiate year. “But part of me was just staying grinding in and learning that your time is coming. Everybody has a time that comes. Everybody has a play. … So just me knowing to be humble and keep being humble and just let my time come.”