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Fields Firm, but listening to Vols and others

It's been just over two months since Kennesaw, Georgia quarterback Justin Fields committed to Penn State. In that time, he's seen the Nittany Lions narrowly lose the Rose Bowl and several colleges continue to pursue him with coaches out on the road in full force during January.

"It's always good to keep your options open because you never know what's going to happen," Fields said. "That's how I go about things. My dad likes me to keep my options open because you never know what could happen at Penn State. Someone could leave and stuff like that."

Academics were big for Fields as he narrowed down his list of possible destinations. That helped Penn State and so did one other uncertainty.

"Coach DeBord just left and I kind of got a hint of that before I made my decision," Fields said. "That's probably one of the main reasons I committed to Penn State. I also think that coach Franklin is going to continue to do a great job in the future."

Penn State beat out Tennessee for Fields as the two were neck and neck before State College won out over Rocky Top. That hasn't stopped the Vols though as head coach Butch Jones and his new quarterbacks coach Mike Canales stopped by to see Fields last month.

"Coach Canales is a great guy," Fields said. "He texts me every day. I think what makes him a good quarterbacks coach is his work ethic. He works the quarterback very hard to make them better. I can tell from talking to him that he's always been about football."

Tennessee was able to get Fields on the phone during National Signing Day and he appreciates their drive to dig their way back into the thick of it with him.

"That's always a good feeling when a school wants you," Fields said. "I got to speak to coach Scott briefly. He said he likes my game and he thinks I'd be a great fit in their offense. Before I committed they were my other top school. Right now, I'm still committed to Penn State. You just never know what could happen like I said earlier."

Fields plays baseball during the spring and won't be seeing any schools. That includes the school he is currently committed to, Penn State.

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