The saying “love at first sight” certainly applies to Daryus Dixson and Penn State.
The elite four-star cornerback from Santa Ana, California had never been to Penn State until this past weekend, but it was certainly love at first sight.
Dixson and his family spent the weekend in State College and before their flight back to the West Coast, Dixson let head coach James Franklin know that his recruitment was closed, and he wanted to join Penn State’s class of 2025.
Not only does Dixson become Penn State’s 14th verbal commitment but is now the highest-ranked commitment in their class of 2025. The 6-foot cornerback is ranked as the No. 4 overall prospect in the talent-rich state of California, the No. 8 cornerback and the No. 53 recruit in the class by Rivals.
Before making this decision, Dixson held offers from programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Colorado, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC and Washington.
All Glory To God🙏. Respect My Decision.#WEARE #LockDownU @adamgorney @CoachTerryPSU @coachjfranklin @CoachAhmadPSU @ZemaitisTouch_ @Dropp @MDFootball @ChadSimmons_ @GregBiggins @PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/PJNIP7nKRJ
— Daryus Dixson (@29_daryus) June 10, 2024
Dixson made an official visit to Washington during the first weekend of the month and had one scheduled to Tennessee, but that’s not going to happen after today’s decision to join Penn State.
“I’d say this decision came down to the relationship that I developed with the coaches,” Dixson told NSN. “Just reuniting with Coach Smith and me having the opportunity to really get a feel for the whole Penn State coaching staff was important. Just the way they were interacting with me the entire weekend and how they made me, and my family feel like we were right at home. It was just an amazing weekend.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Dixson arrived at Penn State with his recruitment still completely wide open and had every intention of traveling to Knoxville next weekend. But after seeing what he saw and really getting the feel for the program that James Franklin has created at Penn State, his mind was made up.
“When I was setting up my official visits, I didn’t know before I went out there but after getting a feel for the environment and not only the football side of things but the academics as well. I do want to study something in business, possibly on the real estate side of things,” Dixson said. “I also saw how Penn State has lettermen who stay around the program and are involved in the community. I feel like I would have tremendous opportunities by attending Penn State.”
This was not only a big deal moment for Dixson but also for the Nittany Lions as they added a major talent to their defensive backs room. Credit assistant coach Terry Smith for a tremendous job in the recruitment of Dixson.
“Me and Coach Franklin were having a good time all weekend,” said Dixson. “When we sat down and had our final meeting of the weekend, Coach was telling me the ins and the outs of Penn State and what he can do for me as a coach. I really felt into it and really believed what he was telling me. When I told him, he made sure that I was sure with this decision, and it was one that I wanted to make and would follow through with. After I told him Yes, he got up all excited, it was a great moment.”
Dixson said that once he gets a total grasp of the Penn State defensive system he believes he’s capable of making an early impact on the field.
He’s the second defensive back in Penn State’s Class of 2025, joining Central Catholic 3-star cornerback Xxavier Thomas.
