Interview: 4-Star 2021 California WR Cristian Dixon Updates Recruiting and Notre Dame Visit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

A secret recruiting gem in southern California is starting to be unearthed nationwide. During his freshman season, Cristian Dixon snagged three passes for 118 yards with two scores appearing in seven game for Diamond Ranch High School. During his sophomore season, the 6-2, 180-pound, talent worked through double- and triple-team coverages to pull down 21 passes for 518 yards with six scores in stats posted by the Panthers through six games. Five offers have been extended to the 2021 receiver coming from USC, Utah, Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon State, and Nevada with a lot of top programs showing interest in the four-star recruit.

In an RNG catch-up interview, I got a few minutes with Dixon covering his sophomore campaign and unofficial visit to Notre Dame over the weekend extending through Monday.

*Click link for June 22, 2018, RNG interview with Cristian Dixon

Interview

Cristian, you had a breakthrough season statistically putting up some great numbers. Which areas of your game were really working during your sophomore season allowing you to be so successful?

“My ability to catch the ball in traffic, and physically and mentally dominating my opponent. Being on same page with my quarterback allowed us to be successful.”

Which areas of your game as a receiver improved the most in 2018?

“My route running, understanding coverages, my maturation – growing as a person, all improved this season.”

How were defenses trying to defend you to slow you down?

“Most teams would have a bracket defense against me. They would press off the line and have a safety over top and a linebacker in the flats covering short stuff. That was what I was seeing about 95 percent of the time.”

How did that challenge help change your game for the better?

“It helped make me better as a person and as a player. I was taking up three people leaving our 10 against their eight, against the rest of their defense. That provided opportunities to my other teammates to make plays and win games.”

What are your offseason workout goals?

“My goals are to get stronger, faster, and mentally prepare myself for my junior year and going to the next level. I will start preparing for college and life beyond high school.”

You have six offers on the table, which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?

“I am receiving interest from Oklahoma, Washington, LSU, Florida, Oregon, and Notre Dame.”

As we speak, you are in South Bend on an extended unofficial to Notre Dame. How has the visit gone thus far?

“It has been great. They definitely treated me like family. They have treated me tremendously well. They made me feel at home. The weather took some getting used to, it is different from California but not that bad. I could get used to it. Notre Dame is a great school with a great tradition and a great coaching staff.”

What all have you done during your visit to this point?

“We saw all the monumental stuff on campus, we took four tours today (Sunday). I am going to their practice tomorrow (Monday). I spoke with Coach (Del) Alexander (receivers) and Coach (Brian) Kelly (head coach) in his office. They have done everything in their power to make me feel like I am at home. Coach (Aaryn) Kearney (recruiting operations) welcomed me with open arms. This visit has been a great experience.”

What did you and Coach Kelly talk about in his office?

“We talked about Notre Dame, what they have to offer, the tradition, and why Notre Dame is Notre Dame. He told me to go to Notre Dame it takes a certain breed of athlete that have the ability and mindset to go to Notre Dame and be an alumnus.”

In general, what are college coaches telling you are the reasons they are offering you?

“They are telling me that I have a huge upside, that I am mature for my age, because I have a 3.6 GPA – I’m not a guy that have to worry about, that like that I am a selfless person, and they are telling me that I am their kind of guy.”

Do you have any other upcoming visits you may take?

“We may go to Oklahoma and LSU during the bowl season.”

Cristian, thanks for your time today and I hope the rest of your visit at Notre Dame goes well.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Dixon family; Cristian Dixon with Coach Kelly