Star linebacker Tony Fields to transfer from Arizona

Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Arizona Wildcats senior linebacker Tony Fields II has entered the transfer portal and will head elsewhere as a graduate transfer, he announced Wednesday on Twitter.

Fields was one of the few bright spots on defense for the Wildcats over the past three seasons, starting every game and logging 287 tackles (17 for loss), 8.5 sacks and a pair of interceptions despite having a different position coach every year.

Fields addressed this farewell note to Tucson on Twitter:

Being a Wildcat has been an honor as well as one of the best experiences of my life. I have grown in so many facets due to my tenure in Tucson. I would like to thank Coach Rodriguez, Coach Yates, and Coach Addae for recruiting me, as well as Coach Sumlin for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to continue to show my abilities the past two years. Additionally I would like to thank Coach Boone, Rushing, Hobson and Rhodes for helping my development since I’ve stepped on campus.

Last but not least, I’d like to thank my teammates and the fans of U of A. Being a three-year starter on a Power 5 team is a great blessing and accomplishment that comes with many responsibilities. Thank you!

Although I will greatly miss the atmosphere at U of A, I feel it’s time that I move on to continue my football career. In conclusion, I will be entering the transfer portal as a graduate transfer.

Thanks for everything U of A!

Tony Fields II

Once a Wildcat always a Wildcat #BearDown

While Arizona does have other experienced linebackers to fall back on, namely seniors Colin Schooler and Anthony Pandy, it does not have much proven depth after them, also losing Day Day Coleman to transfer earlier in the offseason.

Some other options include Jalen Harris, Kylan Wilborn, Eddie Siaumau-Sanitoa, and Derrion Clark.

The Wildcats will be without incoming freshman linebacker Jabar Tripplet in 2020 (assuming there is a season) after he tore his Achilles this offseason.

Arizona lost another three-year starter this offseason when safety Scottie Young Jr. entered the transfer portal and eventually landed at West Virginia.

He chimed in on Fields’ departure:

Two three year starters ‼️‼️but it was us

— scottieo (@_scottieoo) July 16, 2020

I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more

— scottieo (@_scottieoo) July 16, 2020

Here come the haters do you tone ‼️

— scottieo (@_scottieoo) July 16, 2020

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