For Dylan Dixson, the spotlight of the previous few months was promenade weekend.
Except for that, the ultimate months of highschool have been actually simply obligatory steps earlier than Dixson’s subsequent journey as a soccer participant and pupil at Colorado.
“I’m very excited to be trustworthy,” Dixson mentioned of coming to CU this summer season. “I really feel like I’ve performed soccer my complete life for this second, so it’s simply all pleasure over right here.”
Dixson, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound security from Pearland (Texas) Excessive College, is one in all 19 newcomers set to hitch the Buffaloes, who’re scheduled to report for summer season exercises on June 13.
“Actually, I’ve been extra excited for this second than graduating,” he mentioned. “I really feel like all I’ve been right here for is to play soccer, you understand?”
Dixson has waited for this second for greater than 16 months. On Feb. 4, 2021, he grew to become the primary participant to decide to CU for the 2022 class. He signed his letter of intent in December and has been biding his time since then.
He’s prepared for an enormous life change but in addition inquisitive about what that change will convey.
“I feel I’m extra bodily prepared,” he mentioned. “The psychological problem is what I’m in for as a result of I’ve by no means been up there, so I don’t know what to anticipate. I don’t know the way folks act (in Boulder) or what’s fashionable and what’s not. I might rise up there and be a whole weirdo, however down right here I’m of the favored children, in order that’s what I’m excited by seeing how that goes. The bodily facet, I do know that so long as it’s there, I’m gonna compete and combat.”
Bodily, the Buffaloes are getting a gifted security who’s the highest-rated participant of their 2022 class, in accordance with 247Sports.com.
Dixson was ranked as a top-50 security nationally by ESPN, Rivals.com and 247Sports after posting 257 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, six sacks and 6 interceptions throughout his prep profession. He had 88 tackles, three TFLs and two interceptions as a senior.
Projected as a security at CU, he’s been coaching to be as ready as doable.
“I skilled as a nook to get my ft extra versatile,” he mentioned. “In the case of lifting and stuff, I type of carry like a linebacker. I actually might play wherever, however as of proper now coach says he’s going to have me at security.
“I’m effective with wherever, so long as I’m gonna get on the sector.”
Security is one in all CU’s most inexperienced place teams, which provides Dixson and different younger gamers an intriguing alternative.
Senior Isaiah Lewis is a returning starter, whereas true sophomore Trevor Woods performed 139 snaps final season. Tyrin Taylor, who can be a real sophomore, bought some expertise final yr at nook, nickel and security.
Not one of the different 5 different scholarship safeties, together with Dixson, have performed a single snap on protection for the Buffs but. The others are: junior Jaylen Striker, junior faculty switch Jeremy Mack Jr. and true freshmen Oakie Salave’a and Xavier Smith.
Dixson mentioned he’s coming to Boulder able to compete.
“I’m able to see new competitors and higher myself with people who find themselves attempting to get to the identical place I’m attempting to get to,” he mentioned. “In highschool, both individuals are simply taking part in highschool to be cool and get the women or it’s taking part in for enjoyable. However faculty, everyone seems to be taking part in for a similar purpose, for the love of the sport and to get that bag.”
Dixson admits he’s not wanting ahead to taking lessons this summer season, however added, “I do know it’s part of the method and one thing that I’ve to do and that college comes earlier than soccer, so I’m simply gonna have to provide it my all.”
Additionally a part of the method – at the least for Dixson – is catching fish. Along with competing on the soccer subject, he can’t wait to get on the water in Colorado.
“It’s a brand new kind of fishing,” he mentioned. “I do know I’m gonna have one thing to do in between my soccer hours and faculty hours, so I’m excited to see the fishing they’ve on the market.”
