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- Thread starter MD Buckeye
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Better Know a Buckeye: Sam Williams-Dixon's Versatility As a Hybrid Running Back Gives Him A Chance to Be A Difference-Maker at Ohio State
Sam Williams-Dixon's versatility as a hybrid running back gives him a unique skill set in Ohio State’s backfield and the potential to be a game-changer on both offense and special teams.
BETTER KNOW A BUCKEYE: SAM WILLIAMS-DIXON'S VERSATILITY AS A HYBRID RUNNING BACK GIVES HIM A CHANCE TO BE A DIFFERENCE-MAKER AT OHIO STATE
IMMEDIATE IMPACT
With TC Caffey out indefinitely with a knee injury, Williams-Dixon will likely start the season in the fourth spot on the running back depth chart behind TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins and Peoples, providing a very important depth piece in that room at the very least.He likely won’t be called upon to play a major role at running back as a freshman unless injuries strike, but he could still see plenty of playing time as the Buckeyes look to preserve the health of Henderson and Judkins in games they’re winning comfortably.
His athleticism could also make him an early candidate to earn a role on special teams with the potential to be a contributor in kickoff coverage, punt coverage or even as a returner.
LONG-TERM IMPACT
With Henderson entering his senior season and Judkins potentially joining him in the 2025 NFL draft following the upcoming season, Ohio State's competition to start at running back could be wide open in 2025.While Williams-Dixon will have to compete against Peoples, the Buckeyes' 2025 signees at the position and perhaps a transfer addition, Williams-Dixon’s ability to contribute in a variety of ways will make him a player to watch as soon as his sophomore year.
“I’m very versatile,” Williams-Dixon said. “I can do anything, like I can be split out wide, in the slot or running back. I can definitely play a little quarterback, like a little Wildcat. So, I can be everywhere on offense. I think I’m a very evasive runner. Like a Dalvin Cook, Saquon Barkley-type play style I guess.”
His former coach at West Holmes agrees.
“I think he's very versatile in the things that he can do,” Gardner said. “We've seen him run people over, we've seen him beat people with speed, he has the ability to not just run the football but catch the football and block. He's a very versatile, three-down running back for sure.”
Players with hybrid skill sets like Williams-Dixon’s have often struggled to find consistent roles in Ohio State’s offense over the years. Evan Pryor, Kaleb Brown, Mookie Cooper, Jaelen Gill and Demario McCall were all players who offered the potential to play both running back and wide receiver but never earned regular playing time at either spot. But Xavier Johnson has most recently shown that a player can make an impact at both spots in Ohio State’s offense, while Curtis Samuel remains the gold standard for a hybrid back in recent OSU history.
Like Johnson and Samuel, Williams-Dixon also has the potential to be a weapon for the Buckeyes in the return game, particularly as a kickoff returner with his speed and agility.
No matter where Ohio State asks Williams-Dixon to line up, he’ll do whatever is needed to help Ohio State win football games, especially when it comes to playing the Buckeyes’ biggest rival.
“It just brings fuel to the fire,” Williams-Dixon said when asked about Ohio State’s three-game losing streak to Michigan. “I just want to get here and beat that team up north. That's what every kid in Ohio dreams to do. Play as a Buckeye, beat the team up north.”
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Captain Buckeye
Assistant Coach
I’m excited for both the freshman backs. They’re both very good and showed great burst.
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Crump's brother
Moxahala Park Carnie/ Rehoboth Strangler
Same here, SWD seemed to run with attitude in the spring game.
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Confident was the word Williams-Dixon used to describe himself, too.
"Quinshon and Trey have confidence in me, and when they have confidence in me, I have all the confidence in the world," he said.
Locklyn is confident.
Henderson and Judkins are confident.
Peoples and Williams-Dixon are confident.
I am, too.
Look out for the running backs in 2024.
www.elevenwarriors.com
"Quinshon and Trey have confidence in me, and when they have confidence in me, I have all the confidence in the world," he said.
Locklyn is confident.
Henderson and Judkins are confident.
Peoples and Williams-Dixon are confident.
I am, too.
Look out for the running backs in 2024.
Skull Session: Will Howard is Ohio State’s QB1, James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon Are Confident Entering 2024 and Kojo Antwi Impresses Ryan Day in Practice
Will Howard is Ohio State’s QB1, James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon feel confident entering 2024 and Kojo Antwi impresses Ryan Day in preseason camp.
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