Rodney Fields Jr. arrived in Stillwater with a strong reputation. A three-star talent out of Oklahoma, Fields was ranked the No. 6 overall prospect in the state and the No. 46 running back nationally in his class by ESPN. With speed, agility, and an instinctive running style, Fields looked poised to make an early impact. But as is often the case with young players adjusting to the pace and physicality of college football, his first year was more about learning than playing.
Fields saw limited action in the first four games of his freshman season before the decision was made to redshirt. It allowed him to develop behind the scenes, adjust to the Cowboys’ offensive system, and physically prepare for the demands of Big 12 football. Though fans only got a few glimpses of him in 2024, his potential was clear, even in limited touches.
Fast forward to this season, and Fields is starting to turn heads. He began seeing more carries during Oklahoma State’s early game against Oregon and followed it up with an increased workload in the matchup against Tulsa. He ended up rushing for 117 yards being one of the lone bright spots for the team. With each opportunity, he’s showing why he was so highly regarded coming out of high school. His vision, burst, and ability to shed tackles have begun to translate to meaningful production on the field.
That growing presence hasn’t gone unnoticed. Fields was recently named to the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award watch list—an honor that includes just 37 players nationally. Even more impressive, only 10 of those are redshirt freshmen, signaling that Fields is already drawing national attention despite his limited playing time last year.
His emergence is also part of a broader trend in Stillwater, as head coach Mike Gundy appears increasingly willing to lean on younger, unproven players this season. Whether it’s part of a long-term strategy or simply the result of impressive development behind the scenes, it’s encouraging to see Fields and others getting a chance to contribute. In an era where player development and depth are more critical than ever, investing reps in young talent could pay major dividends down the stretch.
Fields still has work to do. Redshirt freshmen often face growing pains, from mastering pass protection to adjusting to the speed of conference play. But his early returns are promising. If he continues to earn the trust of the coaching staff and takes advantage of his opportunities, he could become a consistent part of Oklahoma State’s offensive game plan.
For now, Rodney Fields Jr. is a player on the rise. He's one with the talent to make a major impact and the spotlight slowly starting to find him. As the Cowboys push through the 2025 season, don’t be surprised if this redshirt freshman becomes one of the team’s breakout stars.