Collin Dixon is tearing up football recruiting scene as senior season at Tallmadge looms

If things play out like they usually do on the college football recruiting scene, Collin Dixon could be the biggest thing in the Greater Akron area the next six months.

That’s not hyperbole as the 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior prepares for his final fall season at Tallmadge High School.

“He has all the measurables,” Blue Devils coach Mike Hay said. “He’s got the height, weight and speed, all that stuff, but what makes him special is his coachability and his leadership.

“The kid works just as hard off the field as he does on. He works hard in the classroom. He’s a football junkie. He’s a great kid. He’s a great leader and he’s very coachable. When you have those two things combined with the obvious talent it spreads to the whole team. From a coaching perspective, you love that.”

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Where college football offers started for Collin Dixon

Dixon caught the eye of Central Michigan last fall when the Chippewas offered the wide receiver/athlete on Sept. 26.

Kent State offered on Nov. 3. Things really took off as the calendar turned to 2022.

In a seven-week span, Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Ball State, Indiana, Akron, Duke, Miami, Marshall, Purdue and Pitt offered Dixon.

Kentucky, Wisconsin football offers follow Indiana, Purdue

Those who really pay attention to recruiting know that once Indiana and Purdue offer, the likes of Kentucky should follow next and, sure enough, the Wildcats have shown interest in the Tallmadge standout.

Wisconsin has followed suit as well.

With a great spring and summer camps season, those offers should come in bunches as the Big Ten, SEC, ACC and Pac-12 learn more about the phenom.

It’s a progression of offers that has recycled throughout the last two decades among rising stars and one that should continue with Dixon.

“I’m excited because it gives me a chance to compete during the summer and see my work pay off,” said Dixon while on an unofficial visit to Illinois on Thursday. “It keeps me grounded because I’m going against other top recruits in the area and I get to work against them and learn from it.”

What's next for Collin Dixon

Right now, Dixon is planning to attend the Kent State mega camp on June 18.

More schools are being added to the camp every day, but at least 20 schools will be there to evaluate prospective recruits.

That list includes Michigan, Nebraska, Indiana, Kansas, Purdue and Syracuse.

It won’t be the only camp the future Division I athlete attends as June is the biggest month in terms of college mega camps.

The first-team all-state selection showed his value last year when he caught 69 passes for 1,461 yards and scored 20 touchdowns.

He’s also being looked at as a strong safety after an 11-game season in which he made 63 tackles (with three sacks), forced eight fumbles, and intercepted one pass.

“He has the athleticism and physicality,” Hay said. “But it’s his mental makeup that is one of a kind that won’t back down from any challenge. He will excel at whatever he chooses to do at the next level just based on his work ethic. His competitive streak is unmatched. He’ll put the time in on and off the field just to ensure as good as he can be.”

Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Tallmadge football's Collin Dixon drawing lots of recruiting interest