New Washington Huskies cornerbacks coach John Richardson has already established himself as one of the best in the country at his role after overseeing the development of both Ephesians Prysock and Tacario Davis at Arizona.
Both players blossomed under his tutelage and he will now be searching for the future of the Huskies cornerback room, a spot that traditionally, has been a strong spot for the team. The coaching staff has already locked in official visits with five-star Dijon Lee and four-star Adonyss Currie. and could also receive a visit from four-star Mater Dei product Daryus Dixson.
Dixson is a top-75 recruit in the 2025 class and would be a major get for Jedd Fisch as he works to build out his first full recruiting class at Washington.
In terms of the current cornerback room, Prysock, Elijah Jackson, and Davon Banks are thought to be the leaders. With another impactful season it would be assumed that Prysock would make the leap to the NFL. Jackson and Banks are both juniors. meaning the future of the position is very much up for grabs.
It would ideal if the coaching staff can get one or two high profile cornerbacks on the roster by next season so that they could potentially learn from Jackson and Banks as they mature. Dixson is a perfect candidate to take one of those spots and could be an exciting project for the staff.
He is a fascinating study with an incredibly high ceiling, as he possesses elite ball skills with instincts that will translate immediately. His fantastic route recognition and understanding of how to get his hands on passes before they reach the body of the receiver is a blast to watch.
Dixson is the stereotypical definition of a ballhawk, he will fit very well as a boundary or slot corner due the aforementioned traits, elite length, and his willingness to be physical. While that physicality may get him in trouble at times with pass interference calls, as long as he learns to better walk the line it should not be a major issue.
There are multiple paths that his career could take. Due to a lack of overall athleticism, it’s very possible that he could end up making the move to safety depending on the needs of the team he commits to.
As a willing tackler who did play in or near the box with some frequency, it shouldn’t be out of the question that this becomes his full-time role, and his ability to play the ball would not be diminished. As long he adapts well to playing primarily zone coverage well this is a good fit for Dixson over the long term.
His potential versatility and upside are the main reasons the staff appears to be coveting him. While it faces plenty of competition for his services, the pedigree of his potential position coaches could be a major factor that might sway Dixson to Montlake.