re: 5 star QB Justin Fields Decommits from Penn State

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for the Bulldogs and stepping into an offense custom-built for his skill set.

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aaaand that's when you can stop taking the article seriously.

Father of Justin Fields gives the latest (247)

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Five-star quarterback Justin Fields (Kennesaw, Ga./Harrison), the nation's No. 1 overall recruit on 247Sports and the 247Sports Composite rankings, is focusing on his senior season. But programs like Auburn, Florida State, and Georgia remain in heavy pursuit of the uncommitted prospect, so Justin's father, Ivant Fields, joined the SEC Recruiting Buzz to detail where things stand in his son's recruitment.

Justin has taken multiple trips to see Auburn, Florida, State, and Georgia over the past few months.

"We just kind of gathered information, built a relationship with the coaches, checked out the programs, the academics at the programs," Ivant said. "A lot of times, the way a school ranks nationally does not necessarily mean the thing he wants to major in that they rank badly in that. For instance, Auburn has this entrepreneur major that he really, really likes.

"Schools have different pros and cons, whether it is academia, depth charts, or offense. There are just a lot of things that they may have a little better than this school. You try to put them all down. Distance becomes a factor. You try to disseminate the information you get and make the best choice."

A decision could come at any moment, but the plan, for now, is to see how things look on the field.

"Now it has kind of boiled down to watching some football and looking at the teams and how they operate," Ivant said.



"It will continue into the football season. I think we will do that (official visits). I know we are going to the Florida State - Alabama game. I am looking forward to seeing the dome actually. I have not taken a tour or anything. From there, we really do not have any solid plans."

His father is not sure if the programs will get Fields back on campus before a decision is made.

"I am pretty sure we are going to watch some football games," Ivant said. "A decision could be made Sept. 3, He could, if everything lines up on Sept. 3. A decision could be made in February, after five official visits. That is ultimately up to Justin and when he says he is ready to pull the trigger."

Auburn has the connection with Cam Newton, a childhood idol for Fields and his summer 7on7 coach.

"The entrepreneur major. The distance. It is short, you can get there pretty quick. It is a really easy drive. His idol, went there, Cam. It has some pros. Gus Malzahn is a great guy. I think Justin has a great relationship with Chip Lindsey. I think they are going to air it out a little more.

"Justin is not looking to go to a place and run a lot. He can use his legs, but you do not see a pro quarterback just tuck and run. Ultimately, he would like to fulfill his dream and become a pro football player and they do not do a lot of running. He needs to go somewhere where he is developed, reading defenses, coverages and protection and things of that nature. Who is going to develop him and get him ready for the next level?"

Florida State has had production at the quarterback position in recent years.

"You cannot deny their development," Ivant said. "Coach Fisher is a quarterback guru. Three first round picks with the last three starting quarterbacks. That is a big pro with Florida State. They kind of jumped on him late, so he is still developing relationships there, but it is undeniable - they can develop a quarterback."

Ivant praised Georgia for its efforts in pursuing his son.

"Georgia has done a great job recruiting him," Ivant said. "Even when the kid from Cartersville was deciding between Clemson and Georgia, they kind of went out on the limb and offered Justin when he had boiled it down to two schools. I do not know if they had an inside track whether the kid was going to Clemson or not. But they offered him them and that was before he committed to Penn State."

A few members of the Fields' household are in full support of Justin attending Georgia.

"Georgia is great," Ivant said. "They are here. Of course, my wife would love for the kids to be together. My daughter is already committed there for softball. Having them at one school would be pretty easy on the family. That is not the ultimate decision maker, but it would be convenient."

At this time, Georgia has a 2018 class ranked inside the top 25, but the addition of Fields could help give Bulldogs' head coach Kirby Smart a third-straight top 10 class on signing day.

"I think Coach Smart is doing a great job recruiting," Ivant said. "He is keeping some in-state guys here and they are building a strong recruiting class."

Georgia offensive coordinator Jim Chaney is hoping to have Fields in the quarterback room in 2018.

"Coach Chaney has a pretty good resume himself," Ivant said. "We have seen some of the guys he has coached, such as Drew Brees, and worked in the NFL, things of that nature. Coach Chaney, he's a down-to-Earth person that you can just talk about anything with. When it comes to the X's and O's, I had to look to make sure that was still the same guy talking. He's a pretty smart guy. He's been coaching a long time, with a lot of quarterbacks in a lot of places. He knows the game pretty well."

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FSU/Bama, CU/AU, UGA/ND. That is as long as said school takes care of business.

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I think you are right on the timing, but I really think the offense he is wanting to watch for is Auburn. FSU and UGA are pretty stable in what you will get. This is the first time in a while AU presumably has a 'pass first' QB. My thought is that if AU runs a Nick Marshall style offense against Clemson, we are done. If its more Chris Todd style, then he makes the decision between the 3. September 13th is my guess on decision day.

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zero question AU is the best on field fit for him.

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I agree. He looks like Cam, but better.

Ivant can say what he wants but like Cam said recently you don't tell a lion not to roar. If Fields wants to make it to the League and be a star like Cam his legs are going to play a big role in that.

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Perhaps a tad premature, but your opinion I guess.

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Should of said at this point in his development. That was my reference. Glad that we'll get him more than one year.

No you're right. It means much more to AU than either FSU or UGA.

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I would be very afraid if he went to AU, if he went to FSU it would suck and hope we didn't play them. That being said, how well does Gus do on finishing the job so to speak with recruits? Kirby does a damn good job all the way through but I feel like he may like yalls and FSU's system better.

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Gus is an underrated recruiter though I think Smart is probably the better closer of the two. However, I really think this recruitment is going to come down to what these guys see on the field this season especially early on. Sounds like they have an idea of what all three schools offer but need to see whose blowing smoke and who can follow through

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However, I really think this recruitment is going to come down to what these guys see on the field this season especially early on.

This is the biggest factor imo. I think we'll have a pretty good feeling of who his #1 is after week 2.