Top Five Defensive Back Recruits in ACC

Dabo Swinney landed one of the top defensive back recruits in the ACC, adding to an already impressive haul for the recruiting master. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

4. Mark Fields, Clemson, CB, 5’10’’ 181 lbs.

Checking in at number four on the list of the top five defensive back recruits in the ACC is talented corner Mark Fields. Fields has just average size for the position, which means he won’t get lumped in with the new breed of corners in the NFL, but he possesses outstanding ball skills.

The ball skills are outstanding, but better than that is his football IQ and ability to jump routes. Fields regularly gets great jumps on quarterbacks and is able to play solid press man coverage on the outside. He also does an great job of using the sideline like an extra defender like most great corners do. Fields is not a great athlete, but his speed plays up on the field and is solid with his backpedal.

One of the negatives with Fields however is that he does not always show a willingness to make tackles in the run game. Often time Fields avoids contact from oncoming blockers or has trouble shedding blocks, which he will need to improve on if he wants to play this season.

Fields has the start of a very solid NFL capable corner, but the development of his technique and willingness to tackle will determine his ceiling and status as a starter.

Next: No. 3 Ranked ACC DB Recruit