Michigan State University Athletics
Fields Selected By Miami In 2007 NFL Draft
4/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 29, 2007
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Former Michigan State punter Brandon Fields, a three-time All-Big Ten first-team selection, has been selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2007 National Football League Draft Sunday, April 29. Fields, the No. 15 pick in the seventh round and the No. 225 selection overall, becomes the first Spartan punter to be drafted since 2002 when Craig Jarrett went in the sixth round (No. 194) overall to the Seattle Seahawks.
A first-team All-Big Ten selection by both the head coaches and media panel, Fields led the league and ranked No. 19 in the nation in punting with his 43.3-yard average in 2006. The Ray Guy Award semifinalist hit 17 punts 50 yards or more and had 16 kicks downed inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
The 6-foot-6, 235-pound Fields averaged 46.9 yards on seven punts against Notre Dame, including a season-long 73-yarder. He averaged 53.8 yards on four punts against Michigan, including a pair of 63-yarders. Fields averaged 40.4 yards on eight punts against top-ranked Ohio State, including four kicks downed inside the Buckeyes' 20-yard line. In the season opener, he averaged 55.7 yards on three punts against Idaho, including a 63-yarder.
"This is a pleasant surprise," Fields said. "I took the phone call from Miami while out playing a round of golf back home in Toledo. I started the round hitting the ball great, but as it got later in the afternoon and later in the draft, I began to lose focus and started hitting the ball all over the course.
"I'm excited because I have an opportunity to go to Miami and compete for the starting job. Since the NFL Combine, I've probably talked to Miami's assistant special teams coach Steve Hoffman a dozen times. The Dolphins were the only team that came to campus to conduct a private workout. Coach Hoffman really likes my athleticism and my ability to adjust to different situations."
The Toledo, Ohio, native ranks No. 2 on MSU's all-time list and No. 3 in Big Ten history (tied with Ohio State's Andy Groom, 2001-02) with his 45.0-yard career average, trailing only Iowa's Reggie Roby (45.5 avg., 1979-82) and former Spartan Greg Montgomery (45.2 avg., 1985-87).
Fields averaged 42.0 yards on two punts in the Jan. 14 Hula Bowl, including a 46-yarder.
