What to Expect: D’Cota Dixon Edition
Wisconsin Badger Football ill depend on senior D’Cota Dixon to lead the secondary in the 2017 season.
In the first game of the 2016 season the LSU Tigers had the ball with a chance to steal a win over Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. Instead, Wisconsin S D’Cota Dixon snagged a game-clinching interception.
Badger Football is counting on big plays from Dixon in 2017.
The Wisconsin Badgers have to replace production from Leo Musso and Sojourn Shelton. Due to both key secondary players from 2016 pursuing NFL jobs at the moment.
Therefore, Dixon’s role shifts moves from complementary piece to primary performer for 2017.
Dixon is a senior from Oak Hills, Florida. At 5-foot-10 inches, 204 pounds, he is a giant compared to Leo Musso. He was a 3-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals, Scout, and 247 Sports coming out of high school.
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He’s played in 30 games for Wisconsin starting every game at S in 2016. Especially relevant considering the other nine safeties on the Wisconsin roster have combined for three total starts. Dixon will also play a role helping the six freshman and sophomores safeties acclimate to Big Ten football.
Last season, Musso led the Badgers with five interceptions. Dixon had four INTs of his own. Sojourn Shelton had four INTs and TJ Watt added one. Consequently, that means 10 of the 22 INTs from the 2016 Badgers are no longer on the roster.
Musso rankes 2nd on the Badgers in total tackles with 74, including 50 solo stops. Yet, Dixon himself had 60 tackles tied for 4th most on Wisconsin.
A year ago, Badger of Honor argued that Dixon was a breakout candidate.
"Dixon came to UW as a cornerback, switched to linebacker, and switched again to safety after an injury in 2014 cut his season down to three games…The Badgers love to let their safeties get involved in the run game, and Dixon seems an appropriate candidate to continue that trend."
Especially relevant, Dixon’s experience at LB is a valuable background for playing S. Wisconsin needs Dixon in the box to help in run defense. In addition, he was the only member of the Wisconsin secondary to record a sack in 2016.
Perhaps new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard changes that. Traditionally, the Badgers rely on LB to get sacks. However, Wisconsin will need to get creative with Watt, Vince Biegel, and Jack Cichy unavailable for 2017.
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Dixon is also a wonderful personal story. He received the prestigious “Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award” this year.
"The Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award is intended to honor student-athletes who have overcome great personal, academic or emotional odds to achieve academic success while participating in intercollegiate athletics."
Dixon is an established contributor in the Wisconsin secondary. The Badgers are counting on Dixon’s experience to lead the pass defense in 2017.