The highlight play burned through social media, garnering likes, shares and especially views. There were plenty of comments too, many asking the same question.
“Who is that quarterback?”
The answer – as now millions have learned – is Jackson Fields of Destrehan, whose highlight connection with teammate and LSU committed wide receiver Jabari Mack in the Wildcats’ annual spring game captured the attention of the internet.
On3 recruits on X.com reposted a WGNO highlight clip of Fields breaking the pocket and rolling right in Destrehan’s spring game against Karr. He threw a deep pass that Mack caught in stride, beating a talented group of Cougar defenders for the long touchdown.
The clip was shared noting the touchdown was scored by Mack, who will be on his way to LSU after his senior year at Destrehan. But Fields’ throw was attention-grabbing – he uncorked the ball while on the run and the long bomb was right on the money – and commentors began to ask about Fields, who despite posting prolific numbers in each of the past two years had flown relatively under the radar in terms of collegiate recruiting.
It wasn’t long before word got back to Fields that the play was turning heads online.
“My family and I were shocked, honestly,” Fields said. “Jabari and I have been doing stuff like that since middle school, so to have that clip get that much attention was crazy. To have something go that viral and bring such great opportunities is a blessing to say the least.
“People were asking, ‘who is the quarterback?’ And a couple of sportswriters and outlets replied and mentioned who I was, and the likes and follows just started coming in like crazy.”
Fields’ phone was blowing up.
“All sorts of people were finding out about who I was. It’s honestly a blessing and it brought attention to my film,” Fields said.”
Fields said more than 40 college coaches have reached out impressed with what they saw on film and invited him to their respective camps.
But beyond that: offers are pouring in as well.
You might say the ball has begun rolling on Fields’ Division I recruitment – he’s received offers from Nicholls, Jackson State, Northwestern State, Lamar, West Georgia, Northwestern and Central Arkansas. Each offer followed the spring game with Karr, which took place on May 14.
“I’m appreciative of all of these opportunities … I’ve been working for them since I was a little kid,” Fields said.
The connection he’s built with Mack goes beyond the two years they’ve spent playing together with the Wildcats, as Fields noted it goes all the way back to middle school. Each has a distinct feel for the other out on the field, and it certainly works in Destrehan’s favor.
“We’ve put the work in,” Fields said. “Jabari’s my guy. Since middle school, both of us have had aspirations to play college football and since we’ve been here the goal has been to bring a championship back to Destrehan High School. We always have a common goal we’re working toward and that has led to such a great connection on the field.”
Following the spring game, Mack had similar thoughts about that connection.
“From any other person’s point of view, it might just be a blown-up play. But my quarterback, Jackson Fields, he’s always gonna try to keep the play going,” said Mack. “I know he’s not gonna stop and he knows I’m not gonna stop. So when he threw it up, I just made a play. We’ve been friends since middle school and teammates since middle school, so we’ve built that bond together.”
Though the viral moment was the catalyst for a breakthrough in Fields’ recruitment, his play and production through two years as Destrehan’s starting quarterback more than backs up the eye test.
Fields faced a lot of pressure as a sophomore quarterback entering his first season of varsity action in 2023. He was taking the reins from Jai Eugene, who in 2022 quarterbacked Destrehan to an undefeated state championship.
Despite a wealth of talent on roster, it would have been natural to expect a bit of a step back after the graduation of Eugene and several key pieces from that team, as well as an inexperienced quarterback stepping in.
Instead, Destrehan continued its winning streak through the regular season and into the playoffs before it finally ended at 25 games in the state quarterfinals. Fields was one of the state’s leading passers that season with more than 2,400 yards passing and 28 total touchdowns against 7 interceptions.
Some adversity came in 2024. Fields was injured in a season opening loss to Catholic-Baton Rouge. He returned a few games later and he and the Wildcats caught fire to close the regular season, reeling off five wins in a row after a 2-3 start. In the playoffs, Destrehan took it to another level – the team scored 162 points over three decisive wins before finishing as a state semifinalist.
Now Fields said it’s time to take another step – in his senior year, there is one destination in mind.
“The goal is definitely to win state,” Fields said. “Now that I’m a senior, there’s no choice but to go get that trophy.”
