2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Johnny Dixon, DB, Penn State

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Johnny Dixon, #3
School (Code)	Pennsylvania State University (PAST), transfer from the University of South Carolina (SCUN)
DOB, Class Yr	N/A, 5th-Year Senior
Height, Weight	5112, 195
40 Yd Dash	4.50e
Position/Depth	CB/2nd
Honors/Captainship	2022 All Big Ten Honorable Mention
Season Viewed (yr)	2022
Games Watched	@ ALAU, Vs. UTUN, @ INUN
Scout Name / Date	Hayden Russell,  08/22/2023

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2022	13 GP, 23 TKL, 4.5 TFL, 3 Sacks, 2 INTs, 12 PBUs, 1 FF
2021	12 GP, 11 TKL, 0.5 TFL, 2 PBUs
2020	10 GP, 34 TKL, 5 PBUs
2019	12 GP, 3 TKL, 1 TFL, 1 INT

Player Summary:

Johnny Dixon is a 5th-year senior CB who has started games in college dating back to his true freshman season in 2019. Transferred from South Carolina prior to the 2021 season where he played in 22 games over two seasons. Aligned primarily at right CB, but played all over the field including deep MOF defender in Tampa 2, and on the edge. Possesses solid height and good weight. Solid LOS skills where he typically jams the receiver with decent functional strength, and matches their feet on their release. He is patient when backpedaling and will not open his hips prematurely. Shows the quickness and physicality to carry TEs vertical from the slot. Best in zone coverage where he can drop to his zone while reading QB intentions and recognize route concepts with great mental processing. Exceptional lateral agility when dropping to deep zone while keeping eyes on QB. Underneath, he delivers receivers to the next zone while recognizing threats coming from across the field. Decent transition quickness when breaking downhill as the ball is thrown. Considerable ball skills to track the ball in the air and shoots his hands with great timing to break up passes. Good in run support as he shows effort and desire to make an impact, and will tackle ball carriers with proper form. Takes solid pursuit angles to the ball carrier and towards the sideline as the last line of defense. Adds value as a blitzer off the edge with excellent burst off the line and twitch to get around blockers. Looks off-balance in his backpedal. Adequate man coverage ability; leaves too much space between him and his receiver especially on flat-breaking routes, and needs consistent eye discipline without looking back at the QB. Lacks the foot speed to mirror WRs with great foot speed at the next level. Doesn’t have the foot quickness and COD skills to mirror shifty slot receivers. Adequate ability to shed blocks from receivers.

Scheme Fit:

Fits best as a CB in a zone-heavy scheme at the next level. Could also transition to safety due to his mental processing, zone coverage ability, and run support skills.

Power Statement:

CB who excels due to his quick mental processing ability, athleticism, and zone coverage skills, and wants to make an impact in run support. Needs to iron out some areas in man coverage to take the next step, and must find ways to shed blocks from receivers.