On the prowl: Penn State defensive back Johnny Dixon aims to thrive in Lions' third down package

Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz drew praise in State College and elsewhere last season with his uniquely-titled approach to third down. When the Lions put their opponent in an obvious passing situation following the first two downs of a series, the then-first-year defensive coordinator would call for his prowler package. It loads the field with defensive backs to ensure the best possible coverage scenario. More often than not, it led to getting off the field via pass breakup, interception, or sack.

Safety Ji’Ayir Brown was an integral part of the formula. He did everything from blitz on third down to drop in coverage and help in run support. It was a role he thrived in because he knew the weight of its importance in Diaz’s scheme. Now, others are fighting for the chance to replicate it.

“Now that Tig has done it, the guys love it,” Diaz said. “And they can see it. Everybody wants to play his position on prowler, which is good, because you want competition. You want, when that third down unit takes the field, the guys that are not on the field, you want them to wish that they were. But there’s a price to admission, right?

“You got to do the things that 16 did a year ago. So when you have a guy like that, that sets a standard that only helps the other guys understand what it is that we’re talking about. And 16 will show you what it’s supposed to look like.”

A certain Penn State senior wants to replace Brown

Johnny Dixon wants to be the one to do those things. A 6-foot, 193-pound senior from Tampa, Fla., he enters his third season at Penn State fresh off All-Big Ten honorable mention honors. Dixon has played some in subpackages in the past, both under Brent Pry and then Diaz last year. But, when asked who he thought could replace all that Brown did in the prowler package, Dixon simply replied, “myself.”

It wasn’t arrogance. Instead, it was a picture of self-belief for a player who came to Penn State after two seasons at South Carolina and gradually saw his role expand from year one to year two.

Could his final Penn State season equal his biggest one yet? He certainly hopes so.

“It looks fun out there,” Dixon said. “Like, he’s out there roaming the field. Ji’Ayir’s a playmaker, you all know that. He’s out there on the field roaming the field, watching the quarterback, and doing what he does. And, anybody wants to do that. Anytime you can just play football and be you, you have fun out there.”

It’s one thing to think a job is fun and another to execute it. What has Dixon done to try and ensure he can accomplish both this offseason?

“I’ve been working on it a lot during the offseason, because I knew I would be coming in playing dime and nickel,” Dixon said. “My feet are real good, and I can understand what’s coming at me. That’s what has helped me.”

What it takes to play the prowler position

It takes more than that to play the position well, however. Dixon was easily able to spit those qualities out, though.

“It’s lot of stuff you saw Tig do, the blitzing, the sacks, and stuff like that,” Dixon said. “Being able to read the quarterback’s eyes and make plays.

“First, you got to understand what’s coming at you, and then, you got to have the confidence to read the quarterback and make the play that comes.”

Dixon has no shortage of confidence. And, Diaz has plenty of options to work with in the secondary. That’s specifically true at cornerback. The now second-year defensive coordinator can rest easy knowing that whenever he wants to call in the prowler package, he will have the players to run it.

Dixon wants to be the leader of one of the hallmarks of Diaz’s defense, though. It will be one of the many things he strives for throughout the rest of the offseason.

“I wanted to work on not being so handsy,” Dixon said. “Just keeping myself on top and in position. That’s the main thing I’ve been focusing on , making plays that come to me and little stuff like that. It’s the little things I’ve been trying to work on and upgrading my game.”