Keyion Dixon – Wide Receiver – Eastern Kentucky

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Keyion Dixon:  I am 6’2 and 188 pounds.   

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you decide to enter the 2021 NFL Draft?

Keyion Dixon:  I feel like everything was playing in my favor.  I had a great season.  I graduated at the end of December, and we played the 2020 season.   

Alex Khvatov:  Where are you currently training? 

Keyion Dixon:  At EXOS in Carlsbad, CA.  I have been all over the place.  I was training in Nebraska for two weeks.  Then I went to the Tropical Bowl and CGS.  It is my second day out here.   

Alex Khvatov:  You had the opportunity to play at the Tropical Bowl all-star game.  What was that experience like?  

Keyion Dixon:  It was definitely a good experience.  I was competing against guys from other schools.  You get to see yourself against different competition.  It was a great experience in Orlando. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who was the best player that you faced during that all-star game weekend?

Keyion Dixon:  The best player was safety Tyler Coyle from Purdue. 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall experience at the College Gridiron Showcase? 

Keyion Dixon:  The CGS was very insightful.  The staff did a great job teaching us about life after football during the meetings.  There was no game.  We did combine drills and positional drills. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your goals for the Hula Bowl all-star game?

Keyion Dixon:  I kind of felt like I didn’t perform that well at the Tropical Bowl.  I need to be more focused and not get caught up around guys from the bigger schools.  Treat it like a business trip.  I need to perform to the best of my ability against the talent there.   

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Keyion Dixon:  I ran track, especially the hurdles.  I also did the short sprints and the jumps.   

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Keyion Dixon:  I played QB, CB and S.  I was mainly a QB and corner.

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Keyion Dixon:  I had interest from Syracuse, Boston College, Umass, Temple, UConn, Northwestern, North Carolina, and some small schools in the area.   

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose UConn? 

Keyion Dixon:  I needed to help my mom out at the time.  It was necessary for me to stay close to home and be there for her. 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you sum up your overall career with the Huskies? 

Keyion Dixon:  Originally, I was a DB.  I asked them if I can play receiver.  First year, I was trying to learn a new position.  Second year, it was my introduction to college football.  I played under OC Rhett Lashlee.  We were clicking on offense.  I had 300 yards on 33 catches my redshirt freshman year.  Then Rhett left, and it wasn’t the same.  We ran the ball a lot.  Sophomore year, I had 11 catches.  I needed a change of scenery.   

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you transfer to Eastern Kentucky?   

Keyion Dixon:  They reached out to me.  They told me to come and see what they are all about.  I had a lot of interest from different programs, but I wanted to play right away.  I decided to go to the FCS level. 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall career with the Colonels.

Keyion Dixon:  At first, it was an adjustment.  It was a culture shock coming from Connecticut to Richmond, Kentucky.  I came two weeks before camp started.  I had to get acclimated to the living situation and learning a new playbook.  I played my best football here.  It was a challenge to play this year.  Even though, we didn’t play in a conference, we had an independent schedule.  Coach Wells did a great job scheduling games and playing this fall due to Covid.  I was grateful to have this opportunity to play here.  I had my best year as a senior.     

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Keyion Dixon:  I bring the ability to stretch the field.  I am a big target with a good catching radius.  I am a good route runner.  Off the field, I bring leadership.  Guys trust me on the team.  I was on a leadership council at UConn and at Eastern Kentucky.   

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Keyion Dixon:  I need to get better at attacking the ball at the highest point.  I need to be stronger at the catch point.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Keyion Dixon:  Being able to graduate in December right after our bowl game win.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Keyion Dixon:  Growing up, I liked the Minnesota Vikings because of Randy Moss.  He was my favorite receiver.  I stuck with them after Adrian Peterson started playing for the team.   

Alex Khvatov:  Is there an NFL WR that you aspire to play like?

Keyion Dixon:  Davante Adams.  I try to emulate his release moves and create separation the way he does.  He runs any route and always gets open.  He has the size and speed.  He is a technician.   

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye out for next season?

Keyion Dixon:  On defense, safety Daulson Fitzpatrick and CB Josh Hayes.  On offense, QB Parker McKinney and OL Jordan Johnson.  He plays all positions on the OL for us, but played LG last season.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a WR?

Keyion Dixon:  The most important traits for a WR are route running and effort on the perimeter when it comes to blocking.

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite route?

Keyion Dixon:  My favorite routes are the slant, 10-yard dig, and post corner.  Post corner is my favorite.     

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Keyion Dixon:  I enjoy football.  It gives me an opportunity to meet people from all over.  I am a small kid from Connecticut, but I have already gotten a chance to go to San Diego and Hawaii during this draft process.  Football changes your life in a positive way.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Keyion Dixon:  Golf, cooking, and video games.   

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Keyion Dixon:  I graduated in general studies, minor in political science, sociology and communications.  After football, I want to go back to school.  I want to go to law school and become a domestic defense attorney. 

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Keyion Dixon:  My personality.  Being this tall, I might look mean, but I am one of the funniest people you will ever meet.  I am a good person. 

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Keyion Dixon:  Hard working, passionate, intelligent, funny and caring.