Good news: the Indianapolis Colts have announced the signing of three giant defensemen.
Today, wide receiver Derek Slywka and cornerback Clay Fields III, both undrafted free agents, were signed by the Indianapolis Colts. In addition, the team waived center Jack Anderson and placed safety Daniel Scott on the Injured Reserve list.
Fields III, 5-10, 188 pounds, took part in rookie and veteran mini-camps with the Colts in 2024 as a tryout. His stats at Chattanooga in 2023 included 11 games played (five starts), 36 solo tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 10 passes defensed, and one interception.
In 32 games (22 starts) at Marist (2018–22), Fields III saw play before coming to Chattanooga. He recorded 169 tackles (75 solo), 5.0 tackles for loss, half a sack, 20 passes defensed, seven interceptions (one of which was returned for a score), and one fumble recovery.
In addition, he totaled 20 punt returns for 191 yards (9.6 average) and one score, and 11 kickoff returns for 176 yards (16.0 average). Fields III received multiple awards, such as the Associated Press Third Team FCS All-American (2021), Second Team All-PFL (2022) for return specialist, and First Team All-PFL (2022) for defensive back.
Slywka, 6-2, 215 pounds, took part in a tryout for the Colts’ 2024 veteran mini-camp. During his time as a defensive back at Ithaca College (2020–23), he participated in 34 games (26 starts) and recorded 119 tackles (64 solo), 7.0 tackles for loss, 30 passes defensed, 11 interceptions (one of which was returned for a score), one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and four blocked kicks.
Starting every game in 2023, Slywka recorded 51 tackles (27 solo), 2.0 tackles for loss, 16 passes defensed, 6 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 blocked kicks throughout his 12-game schedule. AFCA, D3football.com, and the Associated Press are the three main organizations that announce the All-America Teams, and he became the fifth player in program history to receive this honor.
