Blue White Illustrated

L inebacker Lance Dixon grew up amid the hoopla and history of Big Ten football. A three-star prospect from West Bloom.eld, Mich., he followed the conference closely, and when it came time to assemble a short list of prospec- tive college destinations, he chose .ve Big Ten schools. The one he picked was Penn State. Dixon gave the Nittany Lions a verbal commitment in early July, choosing them over Wisconsin, Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan. What went into his decision? BWI'S Tim Owen caught up with the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Dixon this past summer to .nd out. BWI How does it feel to have your deci- sion out of the way? DIXON It's a big weight o/ me, just getting the opportunity [to play college football]. Now that I don't have to an- swer too many questions about what I'm doing, it's just a big weight o/ my chest. BWI How o1en are you talking to the coaches at Penn State now that you're committed? And do you stay in touch with any of the recruits? DIXON I talk to the coaches about the same [amount]. I talked to the coaches a lot during the recruiting process, so we're just talking basically the same amount. Almost every day. Then the re- cruits, we have a recruit group chat and we talk to each other on there, so we're getting to know each other. BWI Your top .ve consisted entirely of Big Ten schools. As a Michigan native, what was it about this conference that appealed to you? DIXON I just grew up watching the Big Ten, you know? I know how we play and I just know how football is in the Big Ten. I know the standards of the programs and stuff like that. Also, it's just easier for me getting to all the Big Ten schools because they're a little closer to home. So the Big Ten was most famil- iar to me. BWI You took an o0cial visit to Wisconsin right a1er the Penn State visit and then decided. Can you recap your visits and what separated Penn State from the rest? DIXON I had been to a lot of schools – Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin. You name it, I've been there in the Big Ten. It's just basically finding how you fit with the right peo- ple. Find the right people first. Find the right people, find the right program and then find the right family, and I feel like I've found the right family up at Penn State. BWI Penn State is recruiting you as a linebacker, but you used to play safety, too. What have the coaches told you about how they see you .tting into their defense? DIXON They just want me to be able to be a Sam linebacker. [Defensive coordi- nator Brent Pry] likes me so much be- cause he thinks I can play [all three downs]. He doesn't have to sub me out for a nickel, basically. I mean, I don't get subbed out by a nickel now, so I should be good for that. BWI Can you describe yourself as a player? DIXON I've played every position on the .eld at one point, so I think I'm just a versatile player. Come up in the box, outside of the box to cover somebody, stop the run and all that kind of stu/. I just play my game. BWI Do you know what you plan to study yet? DIXON I was thinking I'll [enroll] undecided, but I'm thinking either psy- chology or something with computers. I just enjoy computers and the human brain and how people act. Stu/ like that interests me. BWI What are you hop- ing to accomplish during your senior season, and how are you hoping to parlay that into your career at Penn State? DIXON Obviously, I just want to get better. There's always something to improve on. For me, one thing I'm looking for this season is a state cham- pionship. We were runners-up last year, so maybe we'll be winning it this year. ■ I N T E R V I E W L A N C E D I X O N I feel like I've found the right family at Penn State' ' NEW LINEBACKER Dixon is expected to play the Sam posi- tion when he arrives at Penn State next year. He chose the Nittany Lions over Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Ohio State. Photo courtesy of Rivals.com

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