PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Flip Dixon made the decision to return to Rutgers for a final year of college football. Coming off what was easily the best season of his collegiate career, Dixon’s decision could and should help his NFL draft stock down the road.
His 70 total tackles this fall was a career-high. In fact, it was more than the safety’s total tackles during his first three seasons of college football – combined.
Dixon also had four passes defended, a fumble and an interception in his first season at Rutgers.
He joined the program last January out of the transfer portal. And he quickly integrated himself into a talented defense, one that he thinks can take a significant step forward.
“We left a lot on the bone as a defense, as a team,” Dixon told Rutgers Wire.
“We got a lot of guys coming back – like I said, we’re getting the band back together. So that was important for me.”
For Dixon on a personal level, though, the return makes sense. Getting a second year of good film would be big for his NFL draft stock. In fact, a season of production like 2023 (or better) could place Dixon as a Day 3 selection.
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He said that being in the system and returning was something he saw as important so he could be ready to take the next step from Rutgers to the NFL.
“You know, when you see different stuff and get cumulative reps, you get to see the bigger picture of it and it makes you play faster,” Dixon said.
“It was – this season was my first first time as a full-time starter. So I feel like I grew a lot. I learned a lot. learn a lot by myself about seeing a different offense – I learned a lot.”
Dixon was named fourth-team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele. He was one of 10 players on Rutgers who was eligible to return for another season of college football and chose to do so.
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Only defensive back Max Melton did not return.