Anthony Dixon

Last updated

Anthony Dixon
Anthony Dixon.JPG
Dixon with the San Francisco 49ers in 2012
No. 24, 26
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1987-09-24) September 24, 1987 (age 37)
Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:233 lb (106 kg)
Career information
High school: Terry (MS)
College: Mississippi State (2006–2009)
NFL draft: 2010  / round: 6 / pick: 173
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:274
Rushing yards:934
Receptions:23
Receiving yards:140
Total touchdowns:11
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Anthony Rishard "Boobie" Dixon (born September 24, 1987) [1] [2] is a former American football running back. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL draft. He played college football for Mississippi State University, where he holds multiple school rushing records.

Contents

Early life

As a senior at Terry High School in 2005, he racked up 304 carries for 2,683 yards (8.8 average) and 31 touchdowns in leading Terry to an 11–2 mark. He was named the Jackson metro-area player of the year by The Clarion-Ledger . He was also a first-team All-State honoree by the paper, and was named to its (preseason) "Dandy Dozen" team (of the state's 12 best high school players) and its (postseason) "10 Most Wanted" list (of the state's top 10 college football prospects).

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com , Dixon was listed as the No. 22 running back prospect in the nation in 2006. [3] Scout.com ranked Dixon a four star prospect and the 30th best running back in the country. [4]

He chose Mississippi State over University of Alabama, Louisiana State University, and Southern Miss.

College career

In his true freshman season, Dixon played in all 12 games, starting five times, and set MSU true freshman records for rushing attempts, yards gained rushing, and touchdowns rushing. His nine touchdowns on the ground were the most by a Bulldog since Dicenzo Miller's ten TDs in 2000. He earned his nickname "Boobie" from his college teammates, who compared him to Boobie Miles, the character in Friday Night Lights . [2]

As a sophomore, Dixon played all 13 games and started twelve. He became just the seventh halfback (ninth occurrence) in school history and the first Bulldog sophomore ever to surpass 1,000 yards rushing in a single season and his attempts set a Mississippi State single season record. He scored MSU's game-winning touchdown in the 2007 Liberty Bowl game.

During his junior season, Dixon started all 12 games he played in, and rushed for 869 yards, compiling a career-best 4.4 yards per carry.

With 1,391 rushing yards in his senior season, Dixon not only set the Mississippi State single-season rushing record (surpassing J. J. Johnson's 1998 record of 1,383 yards), he also became the seventh player in Southeastern Conference history to lead his team in rushing four times. He joined Eddie Price (Tulane, 1946–1949), Sonny Collins (Kentucky, 1972–1975), Dalton Hilliard (LSU, 1982–1985), Carl Woods (Vanderbilt, 1983–1986), Errict Rhett (Florida, 1990–1993), and Kevin Faulk (LSU, 1995–1998) on that list. Dixon accumulated 3,994 career rushing yards during his collegiate career. [5]

College statistics

Mississippi State Bulldogs
SeasonGamesRushing
GPGSAttYdsAvgTDLngY/G
2006 1251696684.096555.7
2007 13122871,0663.7143082.0
2008 12121978694.477172.4
2009 11112571,3915.41270126.5
Career 48409103,9944.4427184.1
  • In addition, Dixon also accumulated 56 receptions, 449 Receiving Yards, and 4 Receiving Touchdowns in 4 years at MSU.

Professional career

2010 NFL draft

Dixon was considered one of the best "power backs" available in the 2010 NFL draft, alongside Toby Gerhart and Charles Scott. [6] Projected as a third- to fourth-round pick, Dixon was thought to possibly be the Bulldogs' highest draftee since Jerious Norwood was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round (79th overall) of the 2006 NFL draft. [7] However, he was selected as the 173rd overall pick in the sixth round by the San Francisco 49ers. [8]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press Wonderlic
6 ft 0+34 in
(1.85 m)
233 lb
(106 kg)
32+58 in
(0.83 m)
9+34 in
(0.25 m)
4.75 s1.71 s2.83 s4.49 s7.09 s33 in
(0.84 m)
10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)
15 reps25
All values from NFL Combine [9] [10] [11]

San Francisco 49ers

With the announcement of the sudden retirement of Glen Coffee on August 13, former head coach Mike Singletary stated that Dixon and veteran Michael Robinson would compete for the number 2 running back spot behind Pro Bowler Frank Gore. [12] In the preseason, Dixon posted 74 rushes for 300 yards, averaging 75 yards per game and 4 touchdowns, leading the entire NFL in each of those categories. On September 20, 2010, Dixon rushed for his first career NFL touchdown against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football . Despite playing well in the preseason, Dixon had only ten rushing attempts until week 12. After Gore suffered a fractured hip during a Monday Night Football game against the Arizona Cardinals on November 29, Dixon had 14 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown as a backup to Brian Westbrook, who took over for Gore. Dixon played in all 72 games of his NFL career, primarily on special teams. At the end of the 2012 season, Dixon and the 49ers appeared in Super Bowl XLVII. He contributed on special teams, but the 49ers fell to the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 34–31. [13] His only start as a member of the 49ers came in the 2013 NFC Championship game as a fullback, scoring a touchdown that gave San Francisco a 10–0 lead. Coincidentally, that was his last game as a member of the 49ers. He finished his 49er career with 458 regular-season rushing yards and eight touchdowns. [14] [15]

Buffalo Bills

On March 15, 2014, Dixon signed a three-year, $3.5 million contract with the Buffalo Bills. [14] Dixon went on to have the most productive year of his career, with career highs in rushing attempts (105), rushing yards (432), average yards per rush (4.1), as well as passes caught and receiving yardage (eight catches for 49 yards). Dixon also scored two rushing touchdowns, the same number he had scored each year since entering the NFL.

In 2015, Dixon's production dropped off significantly. He had only one rushing touchdown, and recorded both 44 yards rushing and 44 yards receiving. On March 1, 2016, Dixon was released by the Bills. [16]

The Spring League

After spending the 2016 season out of football, Dixon played in front of NFL and Canadian Football League scouts as part of the inaugural season for a new instructional and developmental football program, The Spring League, taking part in both the April training camp and games held at The Greenbrier in West Virginia, as well as the 2017 Summer Showcase game held in Napa, California. [17] As one of The Spring League's "marquee players" [18] Dixon was one of the more vocal players in the league, and predicted he would amass 100 yards and 2 touchdowns during the California Showcase game. Playing as part of team California, Dixon's teammate included fellow running back Glen Coffee, [19] the player Dixon replaced as a member of the 49ers. Playing predominately as a fullback, Dixon's first carry was a 49-yard touchdown run. Late in the game, Dixon caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from David Ash. [20] Both plays occurred on 4th down, and were the first and last scores of the game, respectively. Dixon's totals were 7 carries for 55 yards, 5 catches for 23 yards, and the two touchdowns. With 78 total yards on 12 touches, Dixon was short of his statistical pregame prediction, but nonetheless he was listed as one of the Stand Out Players of the game during the Summer Showcase broadcast. [21]

Personal life

Dixon is a Christian. Dixon describes himself on his Twitter account as a "God Fearing Man" and frequently tweets about his faith. [22]

Anthony also has three younger brothers Antwon, Rashun, and Deshun (from oldest to youngest). Antwon and Rashun both committed to play football at Mississippi State, although neither played at MSU. Antwon instead went to Hinds Community College before transferring to Midwestern State University. Rashun was drafted in the 10th round (304th overall) in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft by the Oakland As and chose to play professional baseball. Deshun was also drafted by in the MLB Draft, taken in the 10th round by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Rice</span> American football player (born 1962)

Jerry Lee Rice is an American former professional football wide receiver who played for 20 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He won three Super Bowl titles with the San Francisco 49ers before two shorter stints at the end of his career with the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. For his accomplishments and numerous records, Rice is widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver of all time and one of the greatest players in NFL history. His biography on the official Pro Football Hall of Fame website names him "the most prolific wide receiver in NFL history with staggering career totals". In 1999, The Sporting News listed Rice second behind Jim Brown on its list of "Football's 100 Greatest Players". In 2010, he was chosen by NFL Network's NFL Films production The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players as the greatest player in NFL history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Gore</span> American football player (born 1983)

Franklin Gore Sr. is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons. A member of the San Francisco 49ers during most of his career, he ranks third in NFL career rushing yards. His career was noted for its longevity, rare for his position, and he holds the league record for games played by a running back.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troy Smith</span> American gridiron football player (born 1984)

Troy James Smith is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, earning unanimous All-American honors and winning the Heisman Trophy in 2006. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL draft, and also played for the San Francisco 49ers, the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League (UFL), and the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Robinson (fullback)</span> American football player (born 1983)

Burton Michael Robinson is an American former football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He is currently an analyst for the NFL Network and NBC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Dixon</span> American football player (born 1985)

Dennis Lee Dixon Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks. Dixon was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft and played with the team through 2011. He was a member of the Baltimore Ravens practice squad during the 2012 season in which they won a Super Bowl.

Lenvil Elliott was a professional American football player who played running back for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was a part of the San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl XVI winning team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1987 San Francisco 49ers season</span> NFL team season

The 1987 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 38th season in the National Football League and their 42nd overall. The 49ers won the division for the second consecutive season, ended the season as the top seed in the NFC and were heavily favored to represent the conference in the Super Bowl. The season ended with an upset loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the divisional round of the playoffs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glen Coffee</span> American football player (born 1987)

Glenwood Razeem Coffee Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft and played one season before retiring from football in 2010 and serving in the U.S. Army from 2013 to 2017. Coffee came out of retirement and was reinstated by the NFL on April 21, 2017. He played college football at the University of Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendall Hunter</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Kendall Bernell Hunter is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, earning consensus All-American honors in 2010. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Lattimore</span> American football player (born 1991)

Marcus Lattimore is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks, where he holds the career record for rushing touchdowns (38). He rushed for 1,197 yards as a starter during his freshman year, earning All-American honors. His sophomore and junior years were truncated by severe knee injuries. He opted to forgo his senior year and was selected by San Francisco in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft. He never played a game for the 49ers and retired from playing football at the age of 23. In 2016, he was named head football coach at Heathwood Hall prep school in Columbia, South Carolina. He served as the Director of Player Development for the South Carolina Gamecocks from 2018 to 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garrett Celek</span> American football player (born 1988)

Garrett Bartholomew Celek is a former American football tight end who played his entire career for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan State. Celek signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2012. He is the brother of former Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Juszczyk</span> American football player (born 1991)

Kyle Juszczyk is an American professional football fullback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Harvard Crimson, and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft.

Joshua Devonte Robinson Sr. is an American professional football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs, and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Beathard</span> American football player (born 1993)

Casey Jarrett Beathard is an American professional football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Fitzgerald (American football)</span> American football player (born 1996)

Nicholas Dylan Fitzgerald is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deebo Samuel</span> American football player (born 1996)

Tyshun Raequan "Deebo" Samuel Sr. is an American professional football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was selected by the 49ers in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft. In 2021, he was selected to the Pro Bowl and received first-team All-Pro honors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Wilson (American football)</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jeffery Wilson Jr. is an American professional football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Texas and signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clyde Edwards-Helaire</span> American football player (born 1999)

Clyde Edwards-Helaire is an American professional football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the Chiefs in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenneth Walker III (running back)</span> American football player (born 2000)

Kenneth Walker III is an American professional football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and Michigan State Spartans. He won the Walter Camp and Doak Walker Awards in 2021.

Jordan Ponchez Mason is an American professional football running back and kickoff returner for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia Tech.

References

  1. "Anthony Dixon Bio". SECsports.com. Retrieved August 8, 2009.
  2. 1 2 "Bills hope Dixon boosts special teams - Sports - The Buffalo News". Archived from the original on March 18, 2014.
  3. "Running backs 2006", Rivals.com, January 30, 2006, archived from the original on August 24, 2007, retrieved April 19, 2014
  4. "Anthony Dixon Scout.com profile page", Scout.com, January 1, 2006
  5. Inabinett, Mark (November 28, 2009), "Mississippi State's Anthony Dixon joining short list of SEC ballcarriers", Mobile Press-Register
  6. "NFL Draft - 2010 RB Draft Prospects", CBSSports.com, retrieved November 25, 2009
  7. Miller, David (February 24, 2010), "Chaney, Dixon hope to impress at NFL Combine", The Dispatch.
  8. "2010 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  9. "Anthony Dixon Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  10. "Anthony Dixon, Mississippi State, RB, 2010 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". NFL Draft Scout. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
  11. "Luol Deng (Wrist) will not play Sunday - NBA- NBC Sports". Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  12. Price, Taylor (August 13, 2010). "Coffee Tells 49ers He Intends to Retire". San Francisco 49ers. Archived from the original on August 16, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  13. "Super Bowl XLVII - San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens - February 3rd, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  14. 1 2 Bills add Anthony Dixon
  15. NFL free agency news: Anthony Dixon signing with Buffalo Bills
  16. Anthony Dixon Released by Bills: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction
  17. Filipowski, Nick (June 19, 2017). "Former Bills RB Fred Jackson to participate in Spring League". WKBW-TV. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  18. "Home".
  19. "Glen Coffee to take part in Spring League Showcase game in Napa on July 15". July 11, 2017.
  20. "Spring League game at Napa Memorial Stadium keeps football dreams alive".
  21. "Spring League Showcase Full Game Replay".
  22. "Anthony Dixon".
  23. "MSU Mustangs Bio for Antwon Dixon" . Retrieved October 31, 2014.