6:00pm: Sportsline with Tony Caridi

Mountaineers could be on the move to different positions in the NFL

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Tony Fields’ decision to transfer to WVU for his senior season appears to have raised his professional profile. After three seasons at Arizona, Fields led the Mountaineers with 88 tackles while playing in the middle of the linebacking core in 2020.

“The experience at ‘mike’ definitely helped,” Fields said. “My first three years at (Arizona), I played ‘will’ linebacker. Coming to ‘mike’ and being able to set the front, calling the plays more and having a totally opposite position helped out a lot.”

Former WVU LB Tony Fields II at WVU Pro Day (Photo by Dale Sparks/All-Pro Photo/WVU Athletics)

Fields was WVU’s lone representative in the Senior Bowl, an event that took on added importance with the cancellation of workouts at the annual scouting combine.

“I loved the Senior Bowl. It was a different experience. We were up until 12, 12:30 every night and we had to be up at 6 a.m., sometimes 5:30 in the morning. But it was great to come in and learn a new playbook, an NFL playbook and develop really fast and try to earn a starting spot for the game. So it was really fun.”

Fields opted out of playing in the Liberty Bowl, closing his college career in WVU’s regular season finale at Iowa State.

“I have been training back in Vegas with another WVU alumni Trippe Hale. He played back in the day. He’s been getting me right. I got back to Vegas feeling kind of bad. I didn’t play in the bowl game, having tweaks and bruises and everything like that. Right now, I am feeling the best I have felt in my life.”

Fields says he has been contacted by all 32 NFL teams.

Simmons touts his versatility

T.J. Simmons concluded a productive three-year career at WVU by reeling in four touchdown passes in his final three games, including two in the Liberty Bowl win. Primarily a slot receiver with the Mountaineers, Simmons hopes to build his repertoire by playing on the outside as well.

“Everyone I have talked to that has watched my film has brought up my ability to block on the perimeter and my willingness to block. They tell me that makes me a good team player. Also my special teams play, not only being a returner but actually being on the front lines on kickoff returns and doing those things that people really don’t like to do,” Simmons said.

Former WVU WR T.J. Simmons at WVU Pro Day (Photo by Dale Sparks/All-Pro Photo/WVU Atheltics)

“There were certain routes and things I wasn’t able to showcase in my game film because it wasn’t in the game plan for the team. That wasn’t what the team needed me to do. I have been playing slot the last couple years. So I feel it was good for me to get out there and run some routes on the outside.”

In the ultimate team sport, players have essentially been working on their own since leaving Morgantown after the close of the season.

“It is real surreal man. This day is the day we all have been waiting on our whole lives since we first picked up a football. The fact that it is actually here is crazy. These last few weeks working alone and just focusing on what I need to do has made me fell like what being a professional is.”

Brown hopes to keep having fun

Much like Simmons, offensive lineman Mike Brown is a new father. He acknowledges the balancing act of preparing for the pros while handling responsibilities at home has been a challenge.

“There’s very little free time,” Brown said. “This is probably the hardest thing I have done in my life, being away from my daughter. I am a new dad. I love my baby to death and that’s what makes the football part hard. Sometimes I question it, am I giving my baby everything or I am giving football everything?

“I love football. I love my baby. If I love them together, I can do both.”

Brown primarily played guard at WVU but he could also profile as a center at the next level.

“They definitely want to see me at center, that’s why I have been doing some snapping.

“A lot of the things I got back were very positive. They love my athletic ability and how big I am and how I can move smoothly while being this size.”

Brown is still relatively new to the game of football. He started playing in 2016 at the junior college level.

“I was talking to the Bills the other day and they were shocked how far I have gotten in football with as little time as I have had playing the game.

“The main thing I do when I play football is that I have fun. That’s really all it is. Even if we are losing, I am always having fun. I don’t know if you guys can see it but I will be dancing on the field all the time. I love the game. I know it is going to end someday but that’s how I see it, as long as I put the fun and excitement in it, there will be no regrets.”

Words of wisdom from the head coach

WVU head coach Neal Brown imparted these words of advice to his players that every aspect of their on-field and off-field conduct can affect their draft position.

“When they are making huge investments in people, which are their greatest resource, they are going to do every bit of research necessary. That’s something we try to educate our players on is that everything you do matters. We say that to them a lot and people are paying attention.”





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