Dixon frustrated, pleased with pick

Former Louisiana Tech Bulldogs running back Kenneth Dixon
Former Louisiana Tech Bulldogs running back Kenneth Dixon

Kenneth Dixon's record-breaking college career came to an end four months ago against a team from his home state.

Before Louisiana Tech's 47-28 victory over Arkansas State in December's New Orleans Bowl, Dixon said he was looking forward to seeing where his NFL future would begin. The running back from Strong, a town of less than 1,000 in south Arkansas, realized that on Saturday, the final day of the 2016 NFL draft.

NFL Draft Arkansans

• The four native Arkansans to be picked in the NFL Draft this weekend were the most since 2012

PLAYER;POS.;HIGH SCHOOL;COLLEGE;ROUND;TEAM

Hunter Henry;TE;Pulaski Academy;Arkansas;2;San Diego

Kenneth Dixon;RB;Strong;Louisiana Tech;4;Baltimore

Brandon Allen;QB;Fayetteville;Arkansas;6;Jacksonville

Zac Brooks;RB;Jonesboro;Clemson;7;Seattle

Dixon, who set an NCAA record with his 87th touchdown in the victory over ASU that was later broken, was picked by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round, pick No. 134 overall, Saturday. He followed former Arkansas tight end Hunter Henry, who went to Pulaski Academy, as a native Arkansans taken in this year's draft and is believed to be the first player from the Class 2A school to be selected.

But following such a productive college career, Dixon was hoping to go a bit higher, telling the Monroe (La.) News-Star that being the fifth running back picked and waiting until the final day to hear his name called serves as motivation.

"I was a little frustrated and everything, but I know those teams are going to pick what they need," Dixon told the newspaper. "I didn't fit their second or third projection of what they were trying to get. They got me in the fourth round and I was happy."

Dixon's slot in the draft was hard to gauge by some prognosticators, but Joe Hortiz, the Ravens' director of college scouting, told local reporters that the team liked that he was available with their eighth pick.

"It's just the way the draft happens," Hortiz said. "Sometimes players fall and they fall to you. You think he's a better player [than where he was drafted], but you get him when you get him."

Dixon, 5-10, 215 pounds, set Louisiana Tech records for 4,480 rushing yards and 72 touchdowns and he caught 88 passes for 972 yards with 15 touchdowns. He capped the career by being named MVP of the New Orleans Bowl after scoring four touchdowns -- two rushing and two receiving -- while accumulating 215 yards of offense.

Dixon's production just part of what caught the Ravens' eyes, Hortiz said. Dixon broke records in high school before he did in college, rushing for 6,258 yards at Strong, then a state career record.

"He has a way of finishing when he gets around the goal line," Hortiz said. "He just has a knack for getting in."

Dixon was one of four who played high school football in Arkansas to be drafted this weekend, which was the most since that many were picked in 2012.

The San Diego Chargers picked Henry in the second round Friday night, while Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen, from Fayetteville, was picked by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round, and Clemson running back Zac Brooks, from Jonesboro, was picked in the seventh round by the Seattle Seahawks.

The Jaguars also picked former Central Arkansas standout Jonathan Woodard, who set school records for sacks (30.5) and tackles for loss while being named first-team All-Southland Conference four times.

Woodard, the ninth UCA player to be picked and second in as many seasons, won't have to go far to begin his professional career. The Brentwood, Tenn., native watched the draft with family from Jacksonville, after his parents moved there in December. He said the Jaguars also were one of the three teams to invite him in for a visit along with the Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans.

"I'm ready to go anywhere in the country and help somebody's team win," Woodard said earlier this week. "But my parents would love to have me here."

Later Saturday, ASU tight end Darion Griswold signed a free-agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts, while Red Wolves wide receiver JD McKissic signed with the Atlanta Falcons.

Sports on 05/01/2016

Upcoming Events