Cory Dixon, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior running back/linebacker from Minneapolis (MN) Henry, attended the Minnesota summer football camp.
Dixon is a two-sport standout who helped lead the Patiots to a 4-5 mark last season, losing to Breck 39-20 in the second round of the playoffs.
Dixon rushed 102 times for 777 yards last season with eight rushing touchdowns. He had four 100-yard rushing games, including a season-best 181 yards on 19 carries with four touchdowns against Minneapolis Edison.
Gopher Hole recently caught up with Dixon to learn the latest on his recruitment.
Gopher Hole: You attended the Gopher football camp. What was that experience like?
Cory Dixon: It was very fun. I got to show what I can do. I know what I need to work on coming into my senior year and I am looking forward to a great football season.
Gopher Hole: What kind of feedback did you get from the coaches?
Cory Dixon: They were very positive. They liked me. They told me that we will be in touch.
Gopher Hole: What things have you really been working on during the offseason, which I know is tough since you also play basketball, to improve yourself as a player and have a big senior season?
Cory Dixon: Just my football IQ and being more fluid in the hips.
Gopher Hole: Did you get a chance to go to many football camps this summer?
Cory Dixon: Yes. I went to four. I went to NDSU, Duluth, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Gopher Hole: What have you been hearing from the Gophers? What have they been saying to you?
Cory Dixon: They like me a lot. The linebacker coach that has been recruiting me, Coach Sherels, is pretty interested.
Gopher Hole: You are a versatile player. What position are they looking at you playing?
Cory Dixon: Mike (middle) linebacker.
Gopher Hole: You play both sides of the field at Henry. Do you have a preference or do you just want to be on the field?
Cory Dixon: I just want to be on the field. It doesn’t matter what position or what side of the ball as long as I’m playing, I’m good.
Gopher Hole: What positions are you playing this year?
Cory Dixon: Running back and Mike linebacker.
Gopher Hole: What are the expectations for Henry this year? Did you lose a lot of guys from last year or do you have a lot of guys coming back?
Cory Dixon: We lost a couple of lineman. We have a very good secondary coming into this year. We have got linemen coming in. They are very young, but I feel that they should help us a lot.
Gopher Hole: Minneapolis North has been a good team in the Minneapolis City Conference the past couple of years and they are a team that you are gunning for. What are you expecting to see in the City Conference this year?
Cory Dixon: I’m not really expecting. I am just going out, ready to play football.
Gopher Hole: You are also playing basketball this summer, but is the goal to play college football?
Cory Dixon: Yes.
Gopher Hole: Would you try to play basketball in college?
Cory Dixon: It is mostly football, but if I have a chance to play basketball, I may take it.
Gopher Hole: What would it mean to have a chance to play at the Division I level football?
Cory Dixon: That is what my goal is. To play D1 football.
Gopher Hole: Did you get a chance to attend many college football games last fall?
Cory Dixon: No, not really. I went to Duluth’s spring football game, but that was about it.
Gopher Hole: Did you go to any practices this spring?
Cory Dixon: No.
Gopher Hole: Henry has a great tradition for sports. Is that something that has always been part of your life?
Cory Dixon: Yes. Sports has always been a part of my life since I was in like the second grade. Originally, I am from the South and football down there is strong.
Gopher Hole: Where are you from?
Cory Dixon: Mississippi.
Gopher Hole: When did you move to Minnesota?
Cory Dixon: I was here my freshman year and then I left. My sophomore year, I came back.
Gopher Hole: Do you come from a sports-minded family?
Cory Dixon: My mom played basketball in high school and my dad played football in high school. I have an uncle who lives in Georgia, who played pro football, Houston Hoover (an offensive lineman who played for the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins).
Gopher Hole: The Gophers had one of their better seasons last year. What were your impressions of the team?
Cory Dixon: I liked them a lot. I like their defense. They seem to be a high-temp defense, causing a lot of chaos for the offense and I like that.
Gopher Hole: What would you like to get up to in order to play college football? Obviously to play linebacker in college, you are going to need to get bigger.
Cory Dixon: Hopefully, I can get up to at least 230 or maybe 240.
Gopher Hole: What would it mean to maybe play for the homestate school?
Cory Dixon: It would mean a lot. It would be a great opportunity for me and I would humbly try my best to do what I need to do to help my team.