During a second quarter drive in April’s Red-White Spring Game, outside linebacker Breon Dixon played a stretch that looked like this:
First and 10: Dixon lined up over No. 2 of a trips formation, outside the field-side (wide) hash-mark. The play is a run the other way, but there is bubble screen action to his side.
Second and 5: Dixon, again aligned to the wide side, is pinched down on the hip of defensive end Fyn Anderson instead of walked out over a receiver. He darts inside of right tackle Matt Farniok and, when quarterback Adrian Martinez keeps the ball on a zone-read, he and Anderson combine to stop Martinez for a sack.
Third and 6: After a penalty on the defense, Dixon is again outside the wide-side hash and lined up on tight end Jack Stoll, the second receiver in the formation. Dixon drops in zone coverage, and the throw goes the opposite way to Tyjon Lindsey for a first down.
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First and 10: Dixon walks back down off of Anderson’s hip. A Mikale Wilbon run goes the other way.
First and 10: Dixon is out on the wide-side across from Lindsey and backpedals on the snap as the talented sophomore slot receiver works up the field. Dixon sees Wilbon get the ball in the backfield, though, and triggers forward past Lindsey and then Farniok. He forces Wilbon to try to get back inside with a cut and drops him for a loss of a yard.
In five plays, Dixon is lined up in three different areas of the field both vertically and laterally. He lined up across from a tight end, two receivers and a tackle. He’s asked to force a ball carrier, disrupt behind the line of scrimmage and play zone coverage.
This is only one small sample of the responsibilities the Husker outside linebackers are asked to handle by Jovan Dewitt in Erik Chinander’s defense, and while Dixon isn’t the only one who can handle the variety, the smoothness with which he executes them in this sequence illustrates why his immediate eligibility should be a boon for NU come the fall.
“He’s a playmaker and I thought he got better every practice of the spring,†head coach Scott Frost said earlier this month. “He’s got a lot of work to do in the weight room and from a conditioning standpoint, but he’s definitely somebody we think could have an impact and we’re glad to have him on board this year.â€
Dixon played for Ole Miss as a true freshman last fall, but was granted immediate eligibility here by the NCAA on May 10. In Oxford, he was a defensive back. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 206 pounds, he’s not exactly what many imagine when they dream up outside linebackers. Frost, though, doesn’t see a problem at all.
“Our field outside linebacker is really kind of the same as a roll-down safety most of the time, and that’s basically what he was playing before,†said Frost, who added that he didn’t know exactly what weight range head strength coach Zach Duval had targeted for Dixon.
One comparison, at least in body type: Central Florida standout Shaquem Griffin checked in at the NFL Combine this spring at 6-foot and 227 pounds.Â
The bottom line is the Huskers believe Dixon can man the field side. He’s the most natural of the bunch in coverage — Dewitt’s focus on peripheral vision and “the ability to see multiple things happening at the same time†was on perfect display on the tackle of Wilbon in the spring game — and they think he can hold up physically.
Dewitt also complimented Tyrin Ferguson’s play in space this spring, while Luke Gifford manned the wide side for part of 2017 after injuries to Marcus Newby and Ferguson. Freshman Caleb Tannor is a wild card but is just beginning his career on campus this week. Others, particularly Alex Davis (6-foot-5 and 250 pounds), have sill sets that better fit the boundary side.
In a crowded room, Dixon looks like a natural for the way NU wants to play. It’s a long summer, but May 10 just might turn out to be one of the most important days between spring and fall.