Lufkin DE one of states best

Playing out of position is often something that kids complain and complain about. However for Lufkin, Texas, defensive end McKinner Dixon, the challenge of playing defensive tackle the past two years has allowed him to develop into what he is now – one of the state of Texas’ top defensive prospects.

“I know that I won’t probably be playing defensive tackle in college, since I’m no where near 300 pounds,” Dixon, who is 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, said.

“So, I’m moving to my natural position, defensive end this upcoming year. But I really think that playing tackle has made me tougher and allowed me to really become a better player. I was a lot quicker than the offensive linemen, and I got to use that, but I also had to learn how to be blocked and still find a way to make a tackle.”

But he also welcomes the move to defensive end.

“It’s a whole different thing,” Dixon said. “I have a big responsibility at defensive end and you’re more involved in the defense. I think I have too much speed to be on the inside anymore. Plus, this will show the college coaches what I have.”

Yet the coaches liked what they saw at defensive tackle and he’s already picked up his first scholarship offer from Texas A&M, and is getting heavy interest from Texas, LSU, Miami, Oklahoma and Kansas State.

“I was offered by A&M about a moth and a half ago,” Dixon, who has a 4.6-second time in the 40-yard dash to go along with his 79 tackles and two sacks as a junior, said. “I was kind of tempted to take the offer, but I wanted to keep my choices open. Texas and LSU have talked to me about offering now, too.”

And it looks like it’s the Horns and Tigers that have made the biggest impressions so far, through junior day events on their campuses.

“I liked Texas,” Dixon said. “It was really fun. They let you know about the recruiting process and what it’s like to be recruited by them. I loved LSU. When you show up over there, they let you know right away how important you are to them. I’m going back again next week for another one of their junior days. I loved it over there.”

Dixon, though, doesn’t plan to commit right away and wants to give other teams like A&M, Oklahoma, K-State and Miami a fair chance to recruit him.