Elite On300 LB Sterling Dixon commits to Alabama

It came down to a pair of SEC West rivals, and ultimately Sterling Dixon to staying in-state.

Dixon, the nation’s No. 61 overall player in the On300 for the 2024 class, committed to Alabama over LSU and Auburn on Thursday. Both sets of Tigers were trending for the four-star hybrid linebacker from Mobile (Ala.) Christian School for different stretches in recent months.

The Crimson Tide rolled with the state’s No. 4-ranked player.

“I’ve seen who really loves me and where I can play early, who sends the most guys to the league and see which coaches were gonna stay there at their jobs. I’ve looked at the depth chart at all these teams and who plays,” said Dixon, who piled up 172 tackles, including 39 TFL and another 18 sacks as a junior this fall.

“Honestly, there’s a lot of people trying to go to the NFL, and it’s all about business there,” Dixon said. It’s somewhere I can play early and get to the league. I feel strong about it. Every time I went there, they reassured me of it (my decision). I can envision myself being there.”

Golding leads the charge

Dixon’s recruitment took its share of turns in recent months as three SEC teams squared off for the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder tabbed as the No. 6 linebacker nationally. Auburn was deemed the team to beat early before Dixon earned an offer from Pete Golding and Nick Saban over the summer.

LSU surged in-season, but Sterling’s last visit back to Tuscaloosa for the Iron Bowl loomed large.

“They came hard for me and worked for the best. Whatever I do there if I change my position, I know they can develop me as a player and make me successful on the field,” Dixon said of Alabama.

“Honestly, they text me every day. It’s very important for the school to treat me like a priority and make sure my family is right. Every time I went there, they made sure I was comfortable, and I got whatever I wanted when I was there. It made me feel like I was at home and that was something that was crucial.”

“I love Coach Pete,” Dixon added. “Since I worked out there and got the offer, we’ve been cool. It worked out and he really fell in love with me ever since. It’s been cool to get to know Coach Saban, it’s just been crazy.”

Dixon is the No. 21 linebacker in the country, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average.