Interview: Starting 2024 California Talent Dakoda Fields Impresses with Serra at Corner
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Negating opportunities is the name of the game on defense, and Serra High School has a big one in Dakoda Fields. The freshman captured the imagination this spring earning a starting spot on the Cavaliers’ roster at corner, and then showed he more than belonged. The productivity was there ending 17 plays, 11 solo, with a tackle for a loss, a forced fumble, and swatted away three passes. But the coverage was there from a speed and technique standpoint, and Fields takes away the big receiver advantage stretching the tape at 6-2 while tipping the scales at 175 pounds. The speed… Owens is a Junior Olympian.
In an RNG first-look interview, Owens stopped by the RNG Lab covering ground on his breakout freshman season with a look at his offseason workouts.
Interview
Dakoda, from a speed perspective, playing varsity football as a freshman couldn’t have been that daunting for you given your track background. If you will, update us on the events you run and your accomplishments in track and field.
I had been to the Junior Olympics since I was about five years old. I do all events really; the 800, 400, long jump, all the relays, and the high jump. I won the triathlon, that’s the 800, 200, long jump, and the shotput. I won that at nine and 10-years-old.
Which is your top event?
I’d say is the long jump. This year I jumped 22 feet. I am starting to get back into it after three years.
When did you know that you’d be the starting at corner for the Cavaliers during the 2020 season?
I found out early, probably the middle of summer, sometime during summer ball. The week before the season started, my coach told me that I would be starting.
What were some of the coverages Serra executed during the season?
We run Cover 2, and Cover 2-man a lot. We run some Cover 3, but rarely.
Your ability to read plays and come up against the run keeping a blocker on your inside shoulder is impressive. What do you feel were some of the other strong suits to your abilities during the season?
Breaking on the ball, tracking the ball, and reading the breaks on the receiver.
Serra’s schedule was a tough one. In which game do you feel that you turned in your best performance?
I would say the Alemany game; our last game.
What did you do well to pick the Alemany game?
I forced a fumble, had my season high in tackles, and had two PBUs.
Going into your offseason workouts, how have you been training for the 2021 season?
I have been working on my hips, tracking and breaking on the ball better, and working on my feet.
Have you played 7v7 ball this spring?
No, but I will be starting this week with Serra, and I might play with Rharebreed in Upland.
Are you working with a trainer this offseason?
Yes, I train with Rharebreed.
What are you working on with Rharebreed?
They have me lifting and doing DB training.
What are some of the drills they are putting you through to improve upon your DB skills?
They have me working on my hip flips, the ladders, cone drills, and stuff like that.
For the remainder of the summer, what are you going to work on with your fundamentals?
Catching, because this year I might play both sides. My coach told me I might play some offense this year. I have been working on my route running. As a DB, I am working on getting quicker, stronger with my hips, and breaking on the ball.
Dakoda, congrats on the success you had this spring. Keep up the hard work this summer.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Photo credit: Fields family; Dakoda Fields