Malachi Fields could be fighting for an NFL roster spot right now.
The 6-foot-4, 223-pound receiver hauled in 113 passes for 1,619 yards and 10 touchdowns over the past two seasons at Virginia - production that almost certainly would have gotten him drafted. But not as high as he wanted.
Instead, Fields entered the Transfer Portal in December, visited Notre Dame a few days later, and knew quickly where he belonged.
“Oh man, it was just a special place,” stated Fields. “Once I started my visits and recruiting process after getting in the portal, it’s just a special place. Getting up here on the visit and just talking to coaches, talking to some of the guys, it’s just different.”
That culture was something he felt on his visit and fully embraced when he arrived in June.
“It’s just been awesome,” Fields said. “All the guys are welcoming and they want to get right to work. So that’s how it was coming in, just got right to work. I got here a little bit before we started summer training, so even then, we were getting to work right away. It’s been good.”
The time outside of a team setting was a little strange for Fields, but he also showed his maturity by finding a structured schedule and staying on top of his game while he finished his degree at Virginia.
“I was working out on my own,” said Fields. “Just coming up with a plan to stay active without being in a team setting. Just getting a daily routine in and lifting, conditioning and getting my schoolwork done because I was still in school back then.
“Not having a team after four years, it was definitely a weird transition, but definitely one that was necessary for growth and that I was able to navigate through.”
Fields has a team and has also quickly experienced what it’s like to practice at Notre Dame. The Virginia native has experienced the jump in competition as he faces arguably the nation’s top cornerback every day in Leonard Moore.
“Oh man, just learning more about myself,” Fields said when asked about what he’s learned about himself facing Moore every day. “Learning different ways to move, to get open. I believe he’s the best corner in the country, so just going against him every day, it’s just iron sharpening iron, just making me better.”
One advantage Fields has over Moore and most boundary corners is his size. Fields had success on 50-50 balls at Virginia, but the daily tests against Moore have forced him to expand his game, which is exactly why he picked Notre Dame.
“I feel like there’s other things I need to work on other than just being physical,” Fields explained. “If you just have one thing that you’re good at, then people are going to find that out and try to go at that and attack that, and then you’re left with nothing. So just trying to focus on other things like footwork, top-of-the-route stuff, releases, as well as being that physical presence.”
Receivers coach Mike Brown believes Fields immediately makes the boundary position a weapon, but Notre Dame will also move him around the offense.
”We’re hoping that he brings an even bigger presence into the boundary,” explained Brown. “Guys want to play 1-on-1 coverage out there, and you have a bunch of great running backs and a great offensive line. Just to take some pressure off those guys. Getting some 1-on-1 opportunities and having the ability to go over and make plays. When you have that, it takes a lot of stress off a lot of different things.
“We’re hoping that’s what he brings to us this year. We’ll move him around. We won’t just leave him in the boundary. We’ll move him all over the place and find different ways to get him the ball because he’s that type of player and I think you have to do that. That’s what we’re hoping for.”
Fields also brings experience working with young quarterbacks, having helped guide former Virginia signal-caller Anthony Colandrea as a true freshman in 2023. He’ll do the same for CJ Carr or Kenny Minchey this fall.
“Just having trust in him,” Field said of how he can help a young quarterback. “Just telling him I have trust in him and then going to make the play when the ball comes my way. That’s the biggest thing, him being able to trust me.”
Notre Dame has also leaned on Fields to be a mentor to its young receivers since he arrived, but he’s also listening to improve his game.
“I’m trying to take what I know and instill it into others, as well as listening to the younger guys, seeing what they have to add,” stated Fields. “We all come from different parts of the world, and they’ve been a successful program. So just hearing what they have, bringing what I have, it’s been great leadership and competition all around.”
Brown has seen the impact of Fields on the field, but also in his room.
”Malachi has been great,” said Brown .”He’s been really, really, really good for us. As a player, he is who he is. He’s going to be a really good player for us. But above that, he’s done a good job just leading, bringing the younger guys along - Micah Gilbert, Cam Williams, working with those guys. He’s really helped those guys elevate their level of play. He just brings an extra boost of confidence to the room.”
And Fields has been impressed with what he’s seen from Notre Dame’s receivers.
“They’re dudes, for sure,” said Fields. “They’re special. They can all ball. They can all play for us, so I’ve just been really amazed at what they can do. I’ve been learning more about them every day, more about me.
“Everybody’s making plays, and it’s just been awesome to celebrate. Every day, somebody’s making a play, so it’s been cool.”
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