Saturday, May 23, 2009
Midway junior safety Ahmad Dixon rocked the world of a few opposing backs and receivers on the football field last season.
On Friday, he made a major ripple in the world of college football recruiting as well.
Dixon, who gave a verbal commitment to play college football at Texas in February, informed the Texas coaches on Friday afternoon that he was switching his verbal commitment to Baylor.
If he signs with Baylor next February, Dixon will be the most sought-after recruit to ink with the Bears in more than a decade.
Dixon, a 6-foot-1, 194-pound safety, is listed as the No. 94 prospect in the nation and a four-star recruit by rivals100.com. He’s listed as the No. 7 safety prospect in the country.
He said he was swayed by the progress of the Baylor football program under head coach Art Briles.
“I wanted to be part of a big thing here at Baylor, turning them into a national champion,” Dixon said. “That’s the goal that me and Coach Briles and the rest of the coaches have set — first win the Big 12 and then try to go for the national championship.”
Dixon becomes the second high school player to switch his verbal commitment to Baylor from another Big 12 school in the last week. The Tribune-Herald reported on Sunday that Connally offensive lineman Troy Baker had switched his commitment from Texas Tech to Baylor. Dixon is the sixth player in the class of 2010 to commit to the Bears.
Along with being impressed by Briles’ success in his first year at Baylor, Dixon said he was inspired by Jason Smith’s story.
Smith, a senior lineman for the Bears in 2008, was the No. 2 overall pick in April’s NFL draft.
“I talked to him and found out he always got moved around,” Dixon said. “He was a tight end and ended up at left tackle. He came from Baylor and was the No. 2 draft pick. I feel like I could be the No. 1 draft pick. If he can do it, I know I can do it.”
Dixon acknowledged that switching his verbal commitment from the Longhorns to Baylor might encourage other schools to continue recruiting him.
But he said he won’t entertain any other offers.
“With this commitment, there’s no way of changing my mind,” Dixon said. “I’m 110 percent committed.”
Dixon might have been influenced by his friendship with Levi Norwood, the son of Baylor defensive coordinator Brian Norwood. Dixon and Levi Norwood played together on Midway’s regional semifinalist basketball team this season.
However, Dixon said Brian Norwood didn’t explicitly recruit him outside of campus visits.
“He never really talks about me going to Baylor when I go over and hang out,” Dixon said. “His dad always wanted me to refer to him as Mr. Norwood outside of his working hours. He wanted to talk about everyday life.
Dixon said he and Levi Norwood have become close since Norwood started at Midway last fall. Levi Norwood, a wide receiver and defensive back, didn’t play football for the Panthers in 2008, but went through spring practice with Midway this spring.
“We’re very good friends,” Dixon said. “But Coach Norwood never put that on the line where I had to choose between that. He came to me as a parent when he was outside of Baylor’s offices. When he was inside, it was all business.”
Dixon helped the Panthers post a 12-2 record and region the Class 4A Division I Region II final last season. He finished with 109 tackles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, four tackles for losses and four pass breakups.
cconine@wacotrib.com
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Comments
By Huggy Bear
Jun 17, 2009 7:14 PM | Link to this
Sounds like someone with wannabe football talent is a little intimidated by this young brotha's athletic talent. Ahmad, do your thing, win Big 12 honors, All-America, 1st round draft pick and whatever else you want to accomplish. The haters are still going to be in Waco hatin on a brotha's talent. Shut the haters up.
By el guapo
May 28, 2009 12:22 AM | Link to this
Me thinks he saw Texas' depth chart in the secondary and he got a little intimidated.
By harleyj
May 26, 2009 6:01 PM | Link to this
HEY BAYLOR FAN, A STAR IS NOT MADE ON THE BAYLOR PRACTICE FIELD ALONE. A star college and pro athlete can only be made on the game field where he plays against other teams and shows what he is made of there game after game. Stardom won't be summarily granted to Dixon at BU or any place else. Pro credentials must be earned as well no matter what school one plays at. Dixon will have to earn it & I am certain he realizes that. Coaching has a lot to do with it and so does the talent and the character of the player. Under your convoluted scenario, players should only go to Oklahoma, Texas, USC, Alabama, Florida, LSU, Ohio State, and a few other of the so-called "major programs". Actually USC & Florida should be the only ones for all the studs to go to under your logic. Man, wouldn't the NCAA look great under that set up. Baylor fan, you watch too many fictional sports movies and you listen to too many sports talk shows which are hosted by has beens who never were or those who never even played the game. Get in the real sports world and quit making yourself look a fool.
By Baylor Grad
May 25, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this
Please, no one can really speak for Ahmad Dixon except Ahmad himself. He has the size and high school stats to suggest that he can be a great NFL player in 5 years.
Effective coaching at a school Ahmad enjoys will be a factor in helping him play at his best. However, his performance in Big 12 games, in post-season play, and in the NFL combine will be what solidifies his dream to be a top NFL draft pick. Good for Ahmad that he looked beyond the football prestige of a school and chose a program on the rise and one where he feels will best prepare him for the NFL.
By LJ
May 24, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this
Great catch for Baylor and good decision by Ahmad. I watched him play all season and he is an amazing player and will do well wherever he goes. Baylor fan please... The coaching staff and the educational opportunities and Baylor outweigh Texas and I bet his decision was based on a little more than your small minded opinion. You should try to be more positive it will make you a nicer person.
By sic em 12
May 24, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this
"All Baylor has is Griffin"?? All you have have, Baylor Fan, is a pea brain.
By Real Baylor Fan
May 23, 2009 10:37 PM | Link to this
Good for Baylor.
I have my doubts about these other Baylor fans, they sound more like egotistical UT fans upset that someone would rather play for someone else.
By bears fan
May 23, 2009 3:25 PM | Link to this
...friend's with Norwood?? That has recruiting violation written all over it!!! Let's hope this don't get ugly!
By Baylor fan
May 23, 2009 1:30 PM | Link to this
In response to Griffin fan: All baylor has is Griffin, and yes he is unbelievable. But Texas has had more bowl games and more top of the line players by far compared to Baylor. But I guess if a person does wanna take the easy road and just go to a school where he knows he'll be the star without much hardwork then thats fine. Texas isnt gonna worry about it they have got tons of other players that would kill to play for them.
By Huge Griffin fan
May 23, 2009 1:09 PM | Link to this
Maybe he wants to go to a dynamic program rapidly on the upswing.
Go to Teasip U and you become just a number. That used car sales, figure head coach there might know even know your name after two years of wading through 50,000+ plus students and classes of 100s....
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