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Michigan a finalist for Washington CB transfer Thaddeus Dixon, one of the top available players in the portal

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•01/07/25•

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Thaddeus Dixon
Michigan Wolverines football is a finalist for Washington cornerback transfer Thaddeus Dixon. (Photo by Steven Bisig-Imagn Images)

Michigan Wolverines football is in the mix for Washington cornerback transfer Thaddeus Dixon, who named his top five options. Dixon told On3’s Hayes Fawcett that he’s considering Michigan, Ole Miss, Tennessee and North Carolina, in addition to a return to Washington. North Carolina is where Dixon’s former defensive coordinator at Washington — Steve Belichick — has the same job.

The 6-foot-1, 186-pounder has played four seasons of college football — two at Long Beach City College (2021-22) and two at Washington (2023-24) — but has one year of eligibility remaining due to the NCAA granting a blanket waiver to student-athletes who spent time at the junior college level.

Dixon is the No. 3 available player in the NCAA transfer portal, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. Including committed players, he ranks No. 29 overall and No. 2 among cornerbacks.

The Los Angeles, Calif., native is coming off a standout 2024 season, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition. In 13 games with 12 starts, Dixon recorded 43 tackles, including 2 behind the line of scrimmage, along with 11 pass breakups, 1 interception and 1 forced fumble.

Dixon was stellar in coverage. He posted an 81.8 PFF coverage rating, which ranks fourth in the Big Ten among cornerbacks with 100-plus snaps. He was targeted a team-high 51 times, giving up just 23 receptions for 237 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Dixon took on a significant leadership role for the Huskies in 2024.

“I feel like I’m really emerging in my role on this team as a leader and a villain,” Dixon said before the season. “I’m trying to toughen the team up. Sometimes I feel like we aren’t attacking practice like we should be and I’m the guy that’s going to get the dudes wired up.”

The Michigan transfer target recorded 26 tackles, including 1 for loss, 7 pass breakups and 1 interception in 2023. That season, he played in 14 of 15 games as the Huskies made a run to the national championship, where they fell to Michigan 34-13. He came off the bench but logged 361 defensive snaps. He was targeted 40 times in coverage, allowing 25 receptions for 315 yards and 4 touchdowns. He generated a 58.2 PFF coverage rating.

Dixon played his high school football at Paramount (Calif.) High, before moving on to the JUCO level. Coming out of JUCO in 2023, he was the No. 27 overall player and No. 4 cornerback recruit from that level of football, prior to landing at Washington.

Michigan lost two cornerbacks with starting experience this offseason: junior Will Johnson (NFL Draft) and graduate Aamir Hall (out of eligibility).

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