Indianapolis – The Indianapolis Colts today signed undrafted free agents cornerback Clay Fields III and wide receiver Derek Slywka. The team also placed safety Daniel Scott on the Injured Reserve list and waived center Jack Anderson.
Fields III, 5-10, 188 pounds, participated in the Colts' 2024 veteran and rookie mini-camps on a tryout basis. In 2023, he played in 11 games (five starts) at Chattanooga and compiled 49 tackles (36 solo), 2.0 tackles for loss, 10 passes defensed and one interception. Prior to Chattanooga, Fields III saw action in 32 games (22 starts) at Marist (2018-22) and registered 169 tackles (75 solo), 5.0 tackles for loss, half a sack, 20 passes defensed, seven interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and one fumble recovery. He also totaled 11 kickoff returns for 176 yards (16.0 avg.) and 20 punt returns for 191 yards (9.6 avg.) and one touchdown. Fields III earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-PFL (2022 – defensive back), Second Team All-PFL (2022 – return specialist), Associated Press Third Team FCS All-American (2021) and Second Team All-PFL (2021).
Slywka, 6-2, 215 pounds, participated in the Colts' 2024 veteran mini-camp on a tryout basis. He saw action in 34 career games (26 starts) as a defensive back at Ithaca College (2020-23) and compiled 119 tackles (64 solo), 7.0 tackles for loss, 30 passes defensed, 11 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and four blocked kicks. In 2023, Slywka started all 12 games and registered 51 tackles (27 solo), 2.0 tackles for loss, 16 passes defensed, six interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two blocked kicks. He became the fifth player in program history to be named an All-American by all three major organizations that announce All-America Teams (AFCA, D3football.com and the Associated Press). Slywka was named D3football.com Region 2 Defensive Player of the Year and earned Region 2 First Team recognition from D3football.com. He was a First Team Liberty League choice in each of his last two seasons (2022-23). Prior to Ithaca, Slywka played basketball at Finger Lakes Community College for one season (2019). He appeared in 26 games (14 starts) as a freshman and averaged 9.3 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game and 2.3 assists per game.
Scott, 6-1, 208 pounds, spent the entire 2023 season on the team's Injured Reserve list. He was selected by the Colts in the fifth round (158th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. Scott played in 49 career games (28 starts) at California (2017-22) and totaled 207 tackles (137 solo), 7.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, 14 passes defensed, seven interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. As a team captain in 2022, he started 12 games and registered a single-season career-high 85 tackles (57 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, seven passes defensed, a team-high three interceptions and two forced fumbles. Scott earned Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 accolades. He also garnered Third Team All-Pac-12 accolades from Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus.
Anderson, 6-4, 314 pounds, has played in 15 career games (three starts) in his time with the Colts (2023), New York Giants (2022-23), Philadelphia Eagles (2021-22) and Buffalo Bills (2021). In 2023, he saw action in one game with Indianapolis. Anderson was originally selected by the Bills in the seventh round (236th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Texas Tech.
