CU Buffs Shay Fields 'looks forward' to extra attention on Nelson Spruce

 

You always hear about Nelson Spruce, Devin Ross has been getting a lot of press, and MacIntyre has talked about Bryce Bobo a couple of times during camp. It seems this offseason, a name that has quietly found itself under the radar is Shay Fields. You know, the kid who set the freshman receptions record last year, catching 50 balls, taking four of those to the house?

“All of us have our differences in our games, and we all have our own set of attributes,” Fields said of the spread out press coverage of the receiving corps. “But it just depends on whoever makes plays, you have to make plays. Whoever the ball comes to, that’s who it comes to.”

As Nelson Spruce skyrocketed into the stratosphere last year, teams began to key in on him, sending double teams his way when they could, Fields was one of the players who benefitted from that, but this year the group of receivers could be even stronger, and Fields says he hopes teams try to do that again.

“If teams decide to bracket Nelson that’s going to be their problem,” he stated with an alpha receiver-like confidence. “We have other guys that are going to come in and make plays. It’s just going to depend on what the defense does and we’ll adjust to it.”

“We look forward to it, because he had over 100 catches last year,” Fields added of the extra attention for Spruce. “He’s a proven receiver, we’re kind of under the radar a little bit, so we’re just trying to go out there and make a name for ourselves, try to get as many touchdowns and as many wins as we can.”

He began to make that name last season, but with another year of experience under his belt, and another year of chemistry building with Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau, things could be set up for 5-foot-11 speedster to become a force in the conference.

“This is the Pac-12, so you know it’s good competition,” he said. “Getting that experience last year really excelled my game, it kind of helped me figure out what I need to do, and what I can do to get better.”

Fields exudes confidence when he speaks, and that wide receiver attitude came back a bit when Fields was asked which  side of the ball was ahead thus far in camp.

“I would say we’re always ahead of the defense, on the offense we always look to win, and we’re going to win,” he stated.

But after a little bit of prying, the Southern Californian sophomore would give a small bit of credit to his daily counterparts.

“Whatever they’re doing is working, sometimes they get us, most of the time we’re winning,” he chuckled. “But I really do see a lot of improvement, the defense looks a lot better and a lot more gelled than last year.”

Like many of his teammates, his season goals are simple.

“Have more than 50 catches, and make it to a bowl game,” he explained.

Fields, Ross and Bobo will all have their chances to blow up this season, and even if just two of them who really bust onto the scene, the Colorado passing attack is going to be quite dangerous.

Quotable:

On the new locker room

“It’s amazing, like coach Mac said, it’s really one of the best facilities, I mean, we walked in the locker room and everybody was amazed, everybody was proud of what people have done for us.”

On his favorite part:

“I would say the pools, but they aren’t done yet, it looks like it’s going to be amazing, I can’t wait to hop in.”

On freshman quarterback Steven Montez:

“He has a rocket, I can say that right now.He’s still learning the offense, learning the reads right now, but he can throw the ball.”