Oklahoma received their fourth commitment in the class of 2018 when 2018 Tulsa (Okla.) Union three-star safety Patrick Fields announced his pledge to the Sooners over Big 12 rivals Texas and TCU at The Opening's regional camp in Dallas on Sunday.

The coaching staff in Norman is likely very excited about this news - and here's why.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound defensive back is a technician on the backend as a safety net. Fields rarely, if ever, deviates from the fundamentals in his alignment, positioning, and technique.

One of the great things about Fields is his comfortability back-pedaling, as well as playing downhill in the running game. The newest Sooner commitment is at his best with both eyes in the backfield, reading the quarterback/ball-carrier, and trusting his eyes to make a quick reaction. Fields is instinctive to the point where there is little hesitation when making his break, and that kind of trust comes from having a deep understanding of football.

Whether its covering a wheel route, running down a back on the edge, or turning the corner to block a punt, the Tulsa Union senior-to-be also has a clear feel for angles and how to cover ground in an intelligent, deliberate way.

Fields may not be an enforcer like Sean Taylor or a daring ballhawk like Ed Reed, but he's fundamentally sound and a trustworthy safety net for a defense and that reliability is something defensive coordinator Mike Stoops will not take for granted.