Midway safety bucks national interest to play for Baylor football
By John Werner Tribune-Herald staff writer
During the last few years, the U.S. Postal Service could have set up a branch at Ahmad Dixon’s house.
Midway’s senior safety has been swamped by letters and cards of all shapes and sizes from college football coaches all over the country. When you’re a top-150 national recruit, you’re a popular man on the mail carrier’s route.
“I think I’ve got about 12 shoeboxes full of letters,” Dixon said. “I got my first from UTEP as a freshman, and I got it framed. The rest is history.”
Midway safety Ahmad Dixon, a top-150 national recruit, plans to sign with Baylor on Wednesday’s national signing day after being heavily recruited across the country.
Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald
Following a roller-coaster recruiting ride, Dixon plans to sign with Baylor on Wednesday’s national signing day. After constantly getting calls from coaches and reporters, Dixon said he’ll be relieved when he signs on the dotted line.
“I’ll be real happy when it’s all over,” Dixon said. “A lot of stress will be gone, and I’ll be able to get a lot more sleep and eat well again.”
Dixon believes Baylor’s program is on the rise and wants to be part of it. He recently took his official visit to Baylor and walked away impressed by the facilities and coach Art Briles’ commitment to building a strong program.
“All the coaches are fantastic and the direction Baylor’s program is headed is unbelievable,” Dixon said. “I’m sure we’re going to make a bowl game this year. After going through the recruiting process and seeing what other people have, I’m impressed by what Baylor is building.”
With his size and athleticism, it’s easy to see why Dixon is a major target for recruiters. At 6-1 and 200 pounds, Dixon is bigger than most safeties and hits like a linebacker. He recorded more than 300 tackles in the last three seasons for the Panthers, and has a knack for forcing turnovers.
“What sets Ahmad apart is that he hits so hard,” said Kent Bachtel, who recently retired as Midway’s coach. “You could make a highlight video of Ahmad from every game. He’s also fast. Some people have told me he’s one of the top three senior athletes in the nation.”
While Dixon has been on the radar for major college recruiters for a long time, he said the attention shifted into overdrive soon after he originally committed to Texas last February. Dixon decommitted from Texas and switched to Baylor last May.
Hometown attraction
“My dad wanted me to go to Texas, but that’s not what I really wanted to do,” Dixon said. “When I showed I wasn’t that interested in Texas, I took things into my own hands. I decided I wanted to stay in my hometown and give my talent to the people who have helped me grow.”
Allen Dixon, a pastor at the Greater Harvest Assembly Church of God in Christ in East Waco, said he realized Ahmad needed to do what’s best for him.
“I had always been a University of Texas fan, but Ahmad wasn’t happy,” Allen said. “I felt like I was pressuring him, and he needed to make his own decision. I’m going to support him in whatever he does. I want him to be happy.”
Midway’s Ahmad Dixon says he’s never decommitted from Baylor. If Dixon does sign with the Bears, there is a chance he could be a starter in the secondary this fall.
Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald
While Bachtel has had many players sign football scholarships out of Midway, no one has drawn more nationwide interest than Dixon.
“How many colleges play Division I?” Bachtel said. “I don’t even know where to start. Texas, Alabama, Notre Dame and Tennessee all recruited him. I’m sure it’s been overwhelming for Ahmad.”
Though Dixon had committed to Baylor, the speculation that he was still open to other schools grew last summer when he attended football camps at Auburn, Alabama and LSU.
Dixon made an official visit to Tennessee during the fall, and reports came out that he had switched his commitment to the Volunteers in early January during the week leading up to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.
“I never decommitted from Baylor,” Dixon said. “I was still thinking about Tennessee as a possibility at the time. But when (former Tennessee coach) Lane Kiffin left for USC, I knew Baylor was where I needed to be.”
Dixon said schools are still coming after him as signing day approaches, but he said he’s sticking with Baylor. While he admits the attention has been incredible, he said he’s learned a lot through the recruiting process.
“I’ve learned that some people are not in it for the love of the player — they’re just in it for themselves,” Dixon said. “I don’t want to play for a guy who is just in it for himself. One thing I really like about Coach Briles is that he wants to train you as a man and a football player, and I think all of Baylor’s coaches are like that.”
Safety or cornerback?
Dixon said he could play either safety or cornerback for the Bears. With all-Big 12 free safety Jordan Lake gone, Dixon could be a candidate at free safety.
“Those would be big shoes to fill because Jordan made big hit after big hit,” Dixon said. “I love playing in the secondary because I like to hit. It’s a wonderful feeling when you see a guy balled up under you.”
Another reason Dixon wants to stay home and play is to allow his parents and 16-year-old brother, Jeremy, more opportunities to see him play.
“Jeremy is a big part of my life, and has never missed a game that I’ve played,” Dixon said. “He had some open heart surgeries when he was young and hasn’t been able to play sports. He’s my biggest fan and it’s been a privilege to be around him.”
When Wednesday arrives, life for the whole Dixon family should quiet down after so much around the clock attention from recruiters.
“Sure, it’s been overwhelming,” Allen Dixon said. “So many people have tried to recruit Ahmad. A friend warned me what it would be like, but I really didn’t expect all of it.”
jwerner@wacotrib.com
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Ahmad is smart he jus made the worng decsions when he was a freshman so shut up and number 6 for them bears knock them bois dead
yall have noe lifes who sitts here ndd tawks down on this African-American tht is trinnah dew good in his lyfe soe the wae iii see it is awl yall straight hatahs
You disgust me and your suppose to be an adult. Get outta here!! All you have to say is negative stuff but what about the times when Ahmad stayed late after school to he could go to tutorials so he could keep his grades up for football or how bout this what about last year when he had to sit out half of the game against Waco High because he was late to practice.. Because he was at tutorials. Talk about dedication to his team how about last year when his mother was in ICU and he was in Waco playing at a football game. Dont talk on subjects you know nothing about. You wonder why im soooo pissed at you fools its because you speak out of context you dont know him nor have you ever taken out time to get to know him. You know exactly what everyone else in the media knows NOT A THING. If you really wanna talk about something talk about all the stress you people are putting on his back, everybody wanna know the inside scoop on Ahmad Dixon and where he's gonna go...How about you mind your business and support whatever decision he makes. This has been a long journey for him and i know he is glad it is finally over, in times like these your find out who your real friends are.. Cause im pretty some of you lames commenting was all up in his face after the games or at least your kids where. Get a life. And to Ahmad you know your family is behind you 100% keep your head up bro.
You disgust me and your suppose to be an adult. Get outta here!! All you have to say is negative stuff but what about the times when Ahmad stayed late after school to he could go to tutorials so he could keep his grades up for football or how bout this what about last year when he had to sit out half of the game against Waco High because he was late to practice.. Because he was at tutorials. Talk about dedication to his team how about last year when his mother was in ICU and he was in Waco playing at a football game. Dont talk on subjects you know nothing about. You wonder why im soooo pissed at you fools its because you speak out of context you dont know him nor have you ever taken out time to get to know him. You know exactly what everyone else in the media knows NOT A THING. If you really wanna talk about something talk about all the stress you people are putting on his back, everybody wanna know the inside scoop on Ahmad Dixon and where he's gonna go...How about you mind your business and support whatever decision he makes. This has been a long journey for him and i know he is glad it is finally over, in times like these your find out who your real friends are.. Cause im pretty some of you lames commenting was all up in his face after the games or at least your kids where. Get a life. And to Ahmad you know your family is behind you 100% keep your head up bro.
NEWS FLASH: your kids to alot of things your not aware of and thats because there kids. Your expecting him to be such an adult and yet your on a website talkn down on him and all he is tryna do is be something in life. Why not take him under your wing and be supportive, have you even had a one on one conversation with this young man.. I can answer that HECK NO. Do you even know him outside of that red white and blue uniform..NOO YOU DONT. Though Ahmad is far from perfect he loves the game of football and the part about him not being team captain.. where you the team captain of you high school team. Due to the fact that he was in out of town on COLLEGE VISITS he probably had no time and couldnt be committed and didnt want to let his team down knowing this was coming. You should watch what you have to say about other people cause just like you wouldnt want people talking negative about your precious oh so innocent little babies im pretty sure his parent dont appreciate you negative comments. And to that idiot who put ten dollars on him failing YOU OUGHT TO BE A SHAMED OF YOURSELF i hope you can sleep at night. How negative is that to put money on the failure of another individual how low can a person get..
Whew... I thought long and hard about the content of my comment and at first i was gonna be nice and let the idiots ride but now after thinking about it i think i should let em have it. First of all to Doc E and Mr/Ms Donnie you seriously need a life.. Idk if you have some kind of personal problem but you need to get it together. Ahmad is a 18 year old high school senior and no im not making excuses for his mistakes but just as you are human he is as well. For the past two years his front door has been a revolving door kind of similar to Micheal Oher in Blind Side.. So what he committed and decommitted its his career and he is entitled to make his own decision without the hassle of ignorant individuals like you.You say you wouldnt allow your kids to do this and that insinuating that you and your kids are in some way better than him and his parents but in reality your not.
Boy haters get real bold when there protected behind the computer screen Doc E, Donnie and Mike if you dont have nothing positive to say then please dont say anything at all. Since your such a good parent im pretty sure you have taught your kids that one. Everyone love to judge but never like when the finger is pointed at you. I wonder what kinda flaws would be revealed about you and your life if you had the media on your every move. If you have never been there then you wouldnt know how it feels. Keep your head up Maddie
Ahmad dont worry abaout these haters because are the colleges calling their phone to pick them up nahh dont think so so 4 all youy haters out there that have any thing to say think about can you play like him nahh dont think so but just know Ahmad that me and your Aunt Jackie support you 200% love you big Cousin
To all pray that he be lead to make the right decision. He has a lot on his plate I am pretty sure his ear has been full of a lot of advice. Let the young man make his decision and we should all support him as a community. In the long run he may just be the one to help your son. Be careful what you say about people.
To all pray that he be lead to make the right decision. He has a lot on his plate I am pretty sure his ear has been full of a lot of advice. Let the young man make his decision and we should all support him as a community. In the long run he may just be the one to help your son. Be careful what you say about people.
Still time to correct the mistake Ahmad. Think about it. Anywhere but Baylor. The team on the rise thing has been played since Reedy and Steele days. Go become something!!!!
By the way he has a 3.3 grade average to go along with his god-gifted talent. Ahmad Dixon will make it in life if its football or doing something else becuase he has god in his life. STAY UP LITTLE COUSIN I WILL RIDE WITH YOU IN WHATEVER YOU DO!!!!
Thats a shame what so people write on here. Ahmad is not the first person 2 decommit from a school he is a kid who is getting recruited by every D1 school you can think of. Oh yea by the way for the dude that said if Lane Kiffin would have called him he will be at USC he did and he still not going there and for the dude that said JUCO because grades come on now STOP HATING
Dixon to OSU last weekend
It is really embarrassing to read what you folks are typing. This is a kid, making the biggest decision of his young life. So he wavered... most of you can't order a meal without second guessing yourself. JOSHUA GULLY has the best perspective of the bunch. Doc E, don't kid yourself... your kids will fail you in some area of life; don't be so naive to think you are IN CONTROL. Human nature is not perfect, which speaks of you and your kids.
All the hate for Baylor is from all the folks who couldn't make it in. Welcome aboard Ahmad. Let the haters be what they are.
You won't regret making the decision to play at Baylor, a football team on the rise and the best acedemics in the Big 12. As I did, you will find out it is a special place. Those who haven't experienced it cannot possibly understand. I still love it and always will. You will too.
Ahmad,congrats on making your own decision. All this means is that at the end of the day, you will only have yourself to blame for choosing to perform on a mediocre stage. Buddy, you had a chance to perform on broadway, carnegie hall, etc.... But you chose Baylor? Other coaching staffs are in it for the love of the player. But they also like to win. Football is alot more fun when you win and play for high stakes. I hope losing at Baylor doesn't ruin your love for the game. If you lose your passion and love for the game, the next level is going to be difficult. Good luck.
So cool to get quality guys from the Waco area. Can be hometown heros, while still letting their talents take them where they ultimately want to go. Baylor cares for its athletes, and the athletes are better because of it. Congrats Ahmad, and welcome to B.U.
So cool to get quality guys from the Waco area. Can be hometown heros, while still letting their talents take them where they ultimately want to go. Baylor cares for its athletes, and the athletes are better because of it. Congrats Ahmad, and welcome to B.U.
Stupid, if my kids, who are not toddlers by the way, ever modeled or exemplified any of the behaviors and punk attitude I saw from Ahmad Dixon these past 2 years on the Midway sidelines, I would never let them play organized sports again. We will see down the road who is proven right!
One day at a time CAB. Let em all take their shots. You got 3 years to get this ship right. I don't think BU faithful expect a big 12 last to first, but somewhere in the middle and a damn bowl game this year is totally possible given the schedule b/c 7 of the first 8 games are definitely winnable. But, take RG away, and the same ole s*** will occur.
Doc E is right..not a team player and no leadership skills...his own teammates didn't vote him as a team captain, Baylor got an average player with an inflated ego
To Doc E, Baylor is lucky to have Dixon. He is a hard worker and a great football player. He didn't "jump ship" the scouts and reporters only report rumors. How can you blame an 18 year-old to be unsure about a choice this large with so many options. Any Baylor fan should be proud and really excited.
Doc E shut up! your just mad cause this kid has a bright future and is going to be a good player in college! You just worry about coaching your little toddler to be a great player like Ahmad..
If Ahmad Dixon has such a strong committment to Baylor, why did he initally commit to Texas, then jump to Baylor, then switch to Tennesse, then come crawling back to Baylor after Lane Kiffin jumped ship for USC? Baylor is stupid for taking him back! They should have told him sorry, we gave the scholarship we offered you to a player that honors their word and will stick to their committment to Baylor. $10 says he can not qualify academically anyway and has to go to junior college. Oh, and Not a Safety, you should hear all the loud F bombs this "splendid person" would scream on the sidelines this past year at his fellow teammates for making mistakes, especially at the Midway quarterback when he would throw an interception or fumble the ball.
LIL AHMAD DO YA THANG BRO...IT DONT MATTER WERE U GO ITS WAT U MAKE OUT OF IT REAL TALK..JUST KEEP LIVE'N YO DREAM!..BROOK! #42 WACO HIGH...
Don't do it Ahmad!!! Grave mistake in picking Baylor.
he would be at USC if Kiffen would have called him.Baylor is just happy to get what they can get
Dixon's the kind of guy that will put Baylor back on the football map. With the offensive linemen and defensive backs Baylor is recruiting this year, we just might see Baylor in the Big 12 Title game. And who knows where we'll go from there.
If Baylor is "where he needs to be", why's he in Stillwater, Oklahoma right now?
Father knows best. This kid had been wishy washy the whole process. Not a good omen.
From his comments, he sounds like splendid person. He's a linebacker though.
Good luck, I think its great that you stayed home to play for the BEARS,it will help to have someone to talk with after each game that you guys don't win.
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