LaDainian Fields doesn't like to communicate with players from opposing teams during the season, even old Oklahoma State teammates.
But on Sunday, Fields, a redshirt sophomore cornerback for the Cowboys, made an exception when Kansas State running back Rodney Fields Jr.'s number popped up on his phone screen.
"I only talked to Rodney because that's my cousin," LaDainian said Tuesday. "He called me as soon as the game ended, Sunday morning. So, I had to talk to him."
A year ago, the two were teammates. Actually, they were teammates every year before this one. From little league, to Del City High School, to the 2024 and 2025 seasons at OSU, LaDainian Fields and Rodney Fields Jr. wore the same jersey.
When OSU visits Kansas State at noon Saturday, it will be the first time they've ever played against each other on the gridiron. Difficult decisions were made this past offseason with coaching changes in Stillwater, but there's been no love lost between the two, and LaDainian is embracing a new football experience with his cousin.
"He still gets to play football and go out there and shine, wearing that last name on the back of his jersey," LaDainian said. "As long as me and him are shining for that last name, then we're both good."
LaDainian redshirted in 2024 then broke out during the back half of the 2025 season. He started the final six games of the season and led the team with two interceptions, including a 55-yard pick-six at Arizona.
By the end of the season, LaDainian was seen as the future of his position for the Cowboys. So was Rodney.
Rodney played in four games as a true freshman, rushing 21 times for 99 yards behind Doak Walker Award winner Ollie Gordon. After the season, the keys to the run game went to Rodney. He led the Cowboys in rushing in 2025, totaling 614 yards at a pace of 5.0 yards per carry.
The cousins were living their dreams, playing major snaps as Division-I teammates. But the firing of former coach Mike Gundy and hiring of new coach Eric Morris and his staff – plus the transfer of star players such as running back Caleb Hawkins – changed things.
Suddenly, playing together wasn't a certainty anymore. LaDainian chose to stay at OSU, while Rodney transferred 200 miles north and became a Wildcat.
"We wanted to keep Rodney," Morris said. "Obviously, watching him as a young back, he's a really good player and obviously then knowing what we have in Caleb Hawkins, it's just one of those things. It's just modern college football right now."
Business is business. That goes for coaching staffs and players. And those were the types of conversations LaDainian and Rodney had to have.
"Just talking about what's best for each other," LaDainian said. "We were both down that he couldn't stay and that he had to go somewhere else, but it was more just looking at the pros and cons. The pros outweighed the cons."
The decisions have worked out well for both. LaDainian is tied for the nation's lead with five interceptions, which is the most by a Cowboy in a season since Jason Taylor II had six in 2022. LaDainian also has 33 tackles and a team-high five pass deflections.
Rodney instantly became the Wildcats' lead back and has rushed 93 times for 487 yards and five touchdowns.
"Since he left, that's all we've been talking about is just seeing each other succeed and just seeing each other thrive to go to the league," LaDainian said. "It's the big point. It's the big overall picture. It's been good. Been blessed to see him and me working."
Rodney's success doesn't surprise LaDainian, either.
"He's got very good vision. I would say he's one of a kind," he said. "He's my cousin, but his vision is definitely top tier."
They might not compete for the same team now, but they both know as well as anyone what the other has gone through to earn an opportunity.
LaDainian and Rodney first play high school ball at Southeast High in Oklahoma City together. LaDainian was a wide receiver and defensive back, while Rodney rushed for 2,000 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior.
They transferred together to Del City for their senior seasons and helped lead the Eagles to the Class 5A state title. They always dreamed big and believed they could help a college team win.
"Believe it or not, it's something we always wanted to do since we were little. We always thought we could play with anybody, anywhere," LaDainian said. "It didn't matter what league, what conference, we always thought we could play, just us grinding with each other and working with each other to get there. Now, just seeing us do what we thought we could do, it just goes back to being blessed."
Now comes Saturday, when their two football paths meet up again, just on different sidelines.
"This game has definitely been circled on my calendar," LaDainian said. "We always talked about getting to play each other, but we know that we both have a season. Both just ready to play each other."
LaDainian said if they do meet in the open field, he has to do what his team needs him to do and what he hasn't had to do much of before. Get Rodney down. Easier said than done, but LaDainian said it will be fun.
It will be fun for the family, too, LaDainian said. His parents, as well as Rodney's mother and plenty of other family will make the trip to watch the two Fields cousins stand on opposite sides of the field.
"The family is going crazy for this game," LaDainian.
It's a new experience all around. LaDainian wouldn't talk to just any opponent on game week, but Rodney's call was one he just couldn't turn away.
Even if that meant a little playful banter.
"We're both competitive, so you know we're going back and forth," LaDainian said. "Just a little bit of jibber-jazz."
