Q&A: Linebacker Lance Dixon reflects on recruitment

BWI: How’s everything going? How is it to have that decision out of the way?

Dixon: It’s a big weight off my chest, just getting the opportunity [to play college football], and now that I don't have to answer too many questions about what I’m doing, things like this and stuff like that, it’s just a big weight off my chest.

How often are you talking to the coaches at Penn State now that you’ve been committed since [July 1]. And do you stay in touch with any of the recruits?

I talk to the coaches about the same. I talked to the coaches a lot during the recruiting process so we're just talking basically the same amount. Almost everyday. Then the recruits, we have a recruit group chat and we talk to each other on there, so we’re getting to know each other.

You had a top five of all Big Ten schools. As a native of Michigan, what was it about this conference for you?

I just grew up watching the Big Ten, you know? I know how we play and I just know how football is in the Big Ten. I know the standards of the programs and stuff like that. Also it’s just easier for me getting to all the Big Ten schools because they’re a little closer to home. So the Big Ten was most familiar to me.

You took the official visit to Wisconsin right after the Penn State visit and then decided. Can you recap your visits and what differentiated Penn State from the rest?

I had been to a lot of schools, you know, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State – a lot of schools – Wisconsin. You name it, I’ve been there in the Big Ten. It’s just basically finding how you fit with the right people. Find the right people, first. Find the right people, find the right program and then find the right family, and I feel like I’ve found the right family up at Penn State.

They’re recruiting you as a linebacker. You used to play some safety before, too. How do the Penn State coaches project you to fit in their defense?

They just want me to be able to be a Sam linebacker. [Defensive coordinator Brent Pry] likes me so much because he thinks I can play [all three downs.] He doesn’t have to sub me out for a nickel basically. I mean, I don’t get subbed out by a nickel now, so I should be good for that.

Can you describe yourself as a player?

I’ve played every position on the field at one point, so I think I’m just a versatile player. Come up in the box, outside of the box to cover somebody, stop the run and all that kind of stuff. I just play my game.

Switch gears and go off the field. Do you know what you plan to study yet? I know it’s real early…

I was thinking I’ll [enroll] undecided, but I’m thinking either psychology or something with computers. I just enjoy computers and the human brain and how people act, and stuff like that interests me.

What are you up to this time of the year in the summer? What’s your workout schedule?

Right now it's [informal workouts on] Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays and we have Fridays off. We have defense practice at 8 until like 11 and I have to do offense practice as well so I get out around 12, so it’s basically 8-12 Monday through Thursday. Then it’s lifting weights and conditioning and stuff like that.

Going into your senior year what are you hoping to accomplish and how are you hoping to parlay that into your career at Penn State?

Obviously I just want to get better. There's always something to improve on. For me one thing I’m looking for this season is a state championship. We were runners-up last year, so maybe we’ll be winning it this year.