Scarlet Sunrise: Former Buckeyes WR Johnnie Dixon named USFL Offensive Player of the Week

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Former Buckeyes WR Johnnie Dixon named USFL Offensive Player of the Week

Former Ohio State and current USFL New Orleans Breakers wide receiver Johnnie Dixon had himself a day against the Michigan Panthers last weekend. Dixon, who played for the Buckeyes from 2014-18, reeled in nine passes for 136 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 24-20 win.

As a result, Dixon was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Week.

Give it up for your Week 8 Offensive Player of the Week, @USFLBreakers WR @YoungKing_JD5 👏🌊 pic.twitter.com/UtfrTFIxx8

— USFL (@USFL) June 5, 2023

Dixon’s touchdown receptions went for nine and 36 yards, the latter of which saw him make an adjustment to an underthrown pass, catch the ball and sprint to the end zone.

Dixon now has 29 receptions, 395 receiving yards and four touchdowns in six games this season for the Breakers, his second with the team. His four receiving touchdowns are tied for third most in the USFL in 2023.

2️⃣ TDs | 1️⃣3️⃣6️⃣ yards | 9️⃣ receptions@YoungKing_JD5 WENT OFF YESTERDAY! 👏 pic.twitter.com/8yo5RbVU8t

— New Orleans Breakers (@USFLBreakers) June 5, 2023

Dixon is still pushing for a spot on an NFL roster. After graduating from Ohio State, he spent offseasons and/or practice squad time with the Houston Texans (2019), Arizona Cardinals (2019-20) and Dallas Cowboys (2021). He’s played in the USFL each of the last two years.

Persistence is nothing new for Dixon, who worked through knee issues at Ohio State and ultimately stitched together impressive junior and senior seasons with the Buckeyes. He was voted a team captain ahead of his senior year in 2018, and he delivered with his best season in Columbus to the tune of 42 catches, 669 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Dixon also had eight scores the year prior.

He finished his career with 41 games played, five starts, 67 receptions, 1,146 receiving yards, 16 touchdown receptions, and an average of 17.1 yards per catch. He was part of the Ohio State national title team in 2014 and Big Ten championships in 2014, 2017 and 2018.

His career performance of seven catches and 129 receiving yards came against then-No. 21 Northwestern in the Big Ten title game during the 2018 campaign. He also scored in that 45-24 victory over the Wildcats in Lucas Oil Stadium.

Ohio State commits ready for large official visit weekend

Ohio State has a big official visit weekend coming up.

The Buckeyes are preparing to host 16 prospects, including eight Ohio State commits from this cycle. Keep in mind, the program’s 2024 class currently consists of 13 commits and is No. 2 nationally, only behind back-to-back national champion Georgia, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Lettermen Row is breaking down where Ohio State stands with each prospect expected on campus this weekend, starting with those eight commits.

Check it out here.

Examining 2023 Buckeyes running back NIL valuations

Figuring out how to use five capable returning Ohio State running backs is a good problem to have for running backs coach Tony Alford.

“The more the merrier,” Alford said last week ahead of summer workouts. “It’s like a kid at Christmas — the more presents you got, the better, right?”

He noted that a deep room gives Ohio State a “full array” of its playbook.

It also could create more opportunities for Buckeyes players at the position to profit off their name, image and likeness (NIL).

And so, while Lettermen Row is in the middle of our “Running Backs Week,” we decided to assess the current NIL valuations of Ohio State’s 2023 tailbacks.

For the full rundown, go here.

RELATED

• Tale of the Tape: Knowing the basics of Buckeyes running backs

• How they got here: Mapping out career path of each Buckeyes RB so far

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 87 days

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 171 days

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