Unfinished Business: Mark Fields looking to put it all together in 2018

Mark Fields makes a play against Wake Forest last season

by Eric Jackson - Correspondent - Aug 18, 2018, 8:01 AM

CLEMSON - Senior cornerback Mark Fields had a huge decision to make after Clemson’s 24-6 loss to Alabama in the All-State Sugar Bowl last year.

One option was to forego his senior season and pursue the dream of playing in the NFL, or he could return to the Tigers and finish his senior season.

Ultimately, Fields decided to return and play for the Tigers, and there was one thing on his mind: unfinished business.

“I had gotten hurt at the Syracuse game when we went up there,” Fields said. “I just felt like I had some unfinished business to attend to, so I just wanted to come back and put it all together.”

Fields wants to improve and make those next strides to become the elite NFL cornerback that he knows he can be. Practicing against the best corps of wide receivers in the nation definitely helps the process.

“It’s amazing work. We have so many talented receivers out here, and all of them are different in what they do. All the work that we get is going to make gameday that much easier,” Fields said.

Defensive coordinator Brent Venables praised Fields, saying that the cornerback we see now is the best version of himself.

“I just continue to work on the little things and continue to work on the fundamentals. And I just stay locked in,” Field said.

This monstrous defense is highlighted by the defensive line, but the cornerbacks have been working hard too. Each player pushes the other to be better in practice and that is what makes all the difference.

“We are just competing and getting better,” Fields said. “We are short (in depth) at corner so every day is just a grind. What we are doing out here now is getting us prepared to have a really good season.”

Despite the star power on defense, they do struggle and make mistakes that they need to learn from. Every day is a grind to be better and show the nation that they are legit.

“We just got to get better and keep working,” Fields said. “We made some mistakes that we will see on film.”

Fields is determined to make a statement this season for the Clemson defense and to finish the unfinished business from last year.