Overview
Position: Running Back
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 213 lbs
School: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Kenneth Dixon 2016 NFL Draft Profile
With record setting performances a constant throughout his career, Dixon being a native of Strong, Arkansas is more than just a coincidence.
As a senior, Dixon would set an Arkansas state high school record with 3,153 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns while leading the Bulldogs to the Class 2A State Championship. He would be named Arkansas’ “Mr. Football” for the 2011 season before leading Strong a district championship in basketball, as well as winning the 110 meter hurdles at the 7AA District Track & Field meet.
During his first year in Ruston, Dixon set an NCAA freshman record 27 touchdowns along with 1,194 yards rushing with an average of six yards per carry. In his junior year, he would become LA Tech’s all-time leading rusher after gaining 1,299 yards and 22 touchdowns, setting the record at 4,480 yards after his senior year. He finishes his college career second all-time on the NCAA list with 87 overall touchdowns and tied with other collegiate rushing legends such as Montee Ball and Ricky Williams just to name a few.
Dixon appeared in the 2016 Senior Bowl as was named the top running back among its participants after the week of practice leading up to the game It’s a distinction that has the running back moving up in many mock drafts as potentially the top player at the position in this year’s NFL Draft class.
Combine Performance
As he had throughout his college career, Dixon was a top performer at this year’s NFL Combine. Dixon recorded a 37.5 inch vertical jump, 6.97 second three cone drill while running a 4.58 40-yard dash.
Watch: Kenneth Dixon 2016 NFL Draft Combine Workout
Strengths
- Great lateral quickness and elusiveness.
- Even as the focus of the Bulldogs offense, was still able to churn out big yardage during his career.
- Good vision as a runner and ability to find running lanes.
- A threat in the passing game out of the backfield.
- Runs until the whistle
Weaknesses
- Some ball security concerns.
- Physicality may hamper potential for a long term career.
- ‘Dances’ too much, needs to focus on north-south running instead of using quickness to throw defenders off.
- Lacks long distance speed.
- Needs to bulk up.
NFL Comparison: Thomas Rawls, Seattle Seahawks
Teams with need at position: Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers
Projection: Depends on how teams make their selections but while be a solid second round pick up for a team looking to add a wrinkle to their stable of running backs.
Bottom Line
It wasn’t until the end of last season that most people began to pay any real attention to Dixon as a potential NFL prospect. Throughout his career at Louisiana Tech, Dixon has shown that he has the ability to be a consistent presence in the backfield. In a league where offenses are becoming more spread out and fast paced, Dixon’s skill set will greatly benefit a team looking for an extra weapon to deploy from the backfield.
