Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532761
3 2 M A R C H 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / T H E C L A S S O F 2 0 2 5 / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / W hen cornerback Daryus Dixson committed to Penn State in June, he ended a decade-long drought for the Nittany Lions in California. Before the 2025 cycle, the Lions hadn't landed a prospect from the Golden State since linebacker Koa Farmer in 2014. And it wasn't just that Penn State was able to land a player who grew up 2,500 miles away from its campus that made Dixson's signing noteworthy; he also happened to play for the best high school team in the country, Mater Dei. During Dixson's four years at the school, the Monarchs went 50-2. They compiled that record against the best high school teams from across the coun- try. Last fall, all 12 of Mater Dei's oppo- nents finished among the top 100 teams nationally in On3's Composite High School Rankings. Listed at 6-foot, 185 pounds, Dixson earned more than 30 offers throughout his recruitment. Penn State extended its offer in June 2023, but it wasn't until last spring, when assistant coach Terry Smith flew out to the West Coast to see him, that Dixson became seriously inter- ested in the Nittany Lions. "I really got a better feel for [Smith] and thought he really knew what he was talking about," Dixson said. "He talked a lot about how they were big on tradition and that everybody works. Nobody is left behind. They've all got the same passion, the same goals. I really like that in a team. "When I look at myself here at Mater Dei, I try to be a leader. I would say I try to bring the team together as well, so I like knowing that I'm going to another environment that's like that, where ev- erybody is working together and working for the same thing." Shortly after that meeting, Dixson set an official visit with the staff for June 7-9. He traveled to Washington the week prior and planned to check out Tennes- see after his trip to State College. How- ever, his two days in Happy Valley were enough for Dixson to realize that PSU was the right school for him. "My visit to Penn State was amaz- ing," he said. "It's about family there. That was big, and the relationships are genuine, so that had an impact on my decision. "It was also about player develop- ment. That's big for me, too. I trust in the coaches and believe they can get me to where I want to be." James Franklin's presence throughout the visit also helped Dixson feel com- fortable enough to commit by the time it was over. "Me and Coach Franklin talked a lot throughout my visit," Dixson said. "He's a good coach, and I like how active he is with his players. He's a coach that was with me through my whole official visit and showed me a lot. Coach Franklin was talking with me and my parents. He's just a genuine guy." — Ryan Snyder T H E D I X S O N F I L E Dixson, who had 5 interceptions in his last two seasons at Mater Dei, chose the Nittany Lions over Georgia, Tennessee, USC and Washington. PHOTO COURTESY DARYUS DIXSON DARYUS DIXSON Coveted cornerback signee gives Penn State a West Coast win CB | 6-0 | 185 Mater Dei Perris, Calif. Rankings Stars Nat. Pos. State On3 Industry ★★★★ 157 23 13 On3 ★★★ — 50 33 247Sports ★★★★ 88 7 11 ESPN ★★★★ 130 17 11 Rivals ★★★★ 65 6 5 Statistics • Totaled 26 tackles and 2 interceptions his senior season • Finished his junior season with 49 tackles, 3 interceptions and 14 pass breakups Notable • Mater Dei went 50-2 in his four years at the school • Was a three-year starter for the No. 1 high school team in the country • Served as a team captain his senior season • Enrolled at Penn State in January Recruitment • Committed to Penn State on June 10, 2024 • Recruited by cornerbacks coach Terry Smith • Picked Penn State over Georgia, Tennessee, USC and Washington • Officially visited on June 7, 2024 2025 Projection Because Mater Dei plays such a tough sched- ule, Dixson has already proven he can hold his own against elite wide receivers. Penn State brings back plenty of depth at cornerback for the 2025 season, but we wouldn't be surprised if the freshman gets on the field for at least four games. They Said It Penn State recruiting coordinator Alan Ze- maitis: "Coming from the school that he comes from, he's playing some of the best talent in the country. Then, when you watch his fundamen- tals and the way he plays the cornerback posi- tion, you'll see that he has a really good handle on that part of it. He's doing things in high school at a high level already."