Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1542734
1 6 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 6 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M By any measure, cornerback Daryus Dixson enjoyed a fine true freshman sea- son at Penn State. He played 320 defen- sive snaps in 13 games, totaling 24 tackles and a team-best 6 pass breakups, earning a 77.7 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, sixth-best on the defense. When opt-outs decimated the Nittany Lions' depth chart prior to their matchup with Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl, Dix- son was given his second career start. He and fellow freshman cornerback Jahmir Joseph were among the Lions' top defen- sive performers, earning 56 and 43 snaps, respectively, and combining for 7 tackles and a pass breakup to help Penn State hold the Tigers to 236 yards of total offense in a 22-10 victory. A former four-star prospect from Southern California powerhouse Mater Dei, Dixson is a long way from home at Penn State and seemed like a good bet to transfer after his preferred candidate for the team's permanent head coaching position, cornerbacks coach Terry Smith, didn't get the job. But he chose to return to the Lions, announcing his decision on Jan. 1, the day before the transfer portal opened. Following the Pinstripe Bowl, Dixson spoke with reporters about the Nittany Lions' season and his own performance. QUESTION: What did it mean to you to be able to make some big plays in the bowl game? DIXSON: "I was just blessed to come back out here after all the weeks we've been practicing hard. To be able to get to a bowl game was a blessing, and just to make plays was fun all over again, and to get the win." QUESTION: You and Jahmir both had very productive days against the Clemson wideouts. What did it mean to both of you guys to be able to take steps forward in your first season? DIXSON: "This just shows Penn State's development is not being [ne- glected]. All those long hours we practice and train when nobody sees it are really coming to light now when we play. Going into next year, we'll have a show for you guys." QUESTION: What have you liked about getting to know some of those guys on the new coaching staff? DIXSON: "I haven't really seen them a lot, but they have come around. They seem determined about the mission that they want for us going into next year, and just they seem like they know what they're talking about." QUESTION: How important was Terry Smith to this team these past seven games? And what has he meant to you personally? DIXSON: "It's been a big impact on the whole team. Like I said in the past, this is just Terry being a head coach. He's always been my coach. Nobody re- ally got to see Coach Smith's personal- ity, and I feel like that's really showing his character and who he is as a head coach." QUESTION: What was he like after the game? DIXSON: "Very emotional, because he cares about all of us and was just very happy for us. … He was showing his gratitude for us and and how hard we've been working every week. When we come out here and get the W, it re- ally shows." QUESTION: What do you feel de- fines this year's Penn State team? What traits really stand out about what you had in the locker room? DIXSON: "I would just say our to- getherness, our discipline and just trusting the people we have around us, just everybody buying in and not thinking about what everybody on the outside has to say. Just coming in and putting in the work every day." QUESTION: How do you feel you grew as a player this year in terms of on- field stuff, but also coming to college and moving away from home? DIXSON: "I've grown in ways that I didn't think I would. Just being so far [away from home] shows you that there are wrong and right choices that you have to make in life. You've always got to make the right choice and just put your faith in God." QUESTION: How helpful is it for you knowing that Terry's going to con- tinue to be here on the staff even if he's not going to be the head coach? DIXSON: "It's a plus for sure. Terry's my guy, so I wish he was a head coach, but it's still a blessing that he's being retained on the staff." Sitting Down With Sophomore Cornerback Daryus Dixson Although Dixson started only two of Penn State's 13 games, his 6 pass breakups were the most of any defensive player. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL