Kenneth Dixon, RB Louisiana Tech

Height: 5-10 (unofficial)
Weight: 210 (unofficial)
40-yard dash: 4.53 (projected)
NFL Comparison: Ronnie Hillman, Mike Gillislee, Andre Ellington

Prospect Notes

– Can get holed-up in small spaces when running between the tackles and has much better vision and shed-ability in the open field and second-level of the defense than he does navigating through the line-of-scrimmage.

– Does not possess natural vision as a runner on film in the same way David Johnson (another “pass-catching” back at the Senior Bowl) showed.

– Has a willingness to lower his shoulder and pump his knees through congested areas, but is currently a little too slight to have incredible breakaway ability coming out of the slog like he does dashing into open space.

– Excellent swivel through the hips and smart eyes in pass-protection. Clearly a player who can be featured as a third-down option at the next level if nothing else.

– Will be interested to see how his weigh-in numbers look, because he doesn’t necessarily play like a 210-pounder based on the film reviewed – especially not a Tre Mason or Devonta Freeman-type of sub-215 prospect who used every bit of their momentum and head-of-steam to hit the hole or zone lane then “get small” again to wiggle upfield.

– Major threat on wheel routes in a very Shane Vereen-like mold.

– Seems to be an extremely smart player as he’s frequently seen through games giving instructions and harping on teammates for missed assignments or lack of execution.

– Fast. When he gets going full-throttle, the speed is apparent. Not sure he’ll time amazingly in the 40 as his skill-set seems more long-speed in style, but we’d bet he’s a low-to-just-barely-sub-4.5-guy.

– Wastes too much motion behind the line of scrimmage with jump-cuts and shimmies to bring any power to the point-of-attack as an inside-runner. When he has a nice hole, though, he’ll jet through it and generally fall forward upon second-level contact.

– Speaking of first contact, he can often avoid it, but if he can’t, he’ll usually go down on first contact like a Ronnie Hillman or Latavius Murray.

– Lateral agility in the open-field that reminds you of Andre Ellington. It’s probably Dixon’s best trait on film.

– Dependable receiver out of the backfield, but not a soft-handed hands-catcher like Duke Johnson. Lets too many balls get into his body.

– For a time in 2015, was the NCAA’s all-time leader in career touchdowns (87), but was overtaken in the same year by Navy’s Keenan Reynolds.

Accolades/Personal via Louisiana Tech Athletic Department:

2015 Doak Walker Award Watch List
2015 Preseason All-Conference USA
2015 Maxwell Award Watch List
2014 Second Team All-Conference USA
2014 Doak Walker Award Watch List
2014 Preseason All-Conference USA
2013 Second Team All-Conference USA
2013 National Player to Watch (TDC)
2012 Freshman All-America
2012 WAC Freshman of the Year
2012 First Team All-WAC
2012 Louisiana Freshman of the Year
2012 First Team All-Louisiana
2012 Doak Walker Award Watch List

High School: A three-star running back at Strong High School where he lettered in football and basketball … Named “Mr. Football” in Arkansas in 2011 … Ran for a state single-season record of 3,153 yards and 39 touchdowns during the team’s state title run in 2011 … Coached by Shane Davis.

Personal: Kenneth Dixon … Son of Kenneth Dixon and Sheila Baker … Born on Jan. 21, 1994 in El Dorado, Ark. … Has two siblings: Ashley Dixon and Arrian Easton … Chose Louisiana Tech over Arkansas State, Arkansas, LSU and Ole Miss … Recruited by Rob Likens.

. . .

Overall, Dixon is a player we’ll be excited to see with our own eyes during Senior Bowl practices. Coming into the week, our initial opinion is that Dixon certainly does not project as a bellcow-style runner at the next level (not many do anymore in a league of RB committees) but could likely serve as a serviceable change-of-pace-style runner and third-down back.