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Time is now for Purdue WR Jayden Dixon-Veal

On3 imageby: Tom Dienhart10/31/23TomDienhart1
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WR Jayden Dixon-Veal is emerging (Chad Krockover)

The time is now for Jayden Dixon-Veal. And the Purdue wideout is seizing it.

The junior college transfer is coming off his best game yet as a Boilermaker, nabbing four passes for 38 yards and a TD at Nebraska. This, after making only four catches for 27 yards entering the game. It was the lone offensive touchdown for Purdue in a numbing 31-14 defeat at Nebraska.

“They call him the cat just because he kind of can move like a cat,” said offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. “He can change direction. He can start. He can stop. He’ll be in one spot and then a totally different spot the next minute.”

Dixon-Veal was a late addition to the 2023 recruiting class, flipping from his Oregon State commitment to Purdue in June. A pre-exisiting relationship with some Purdue staffers helped smooth the path for the College of San Mateo (California) product to West Lafayette.

“I had a connection with coach Graham Harrell, and (tight ends) coach (Seth) Doege there at USC (where the tandem used to coach),” said Dixon-Veal, a native of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. “I remember them being some very stand up guys. And then I met (receivers) coach CP (Cory Patterson) and he seemed like a big brother and someone I can take a lot of advice from and get better.”

It has taken a while for Dixon-Veal to impact. He had two targets and one catch in September, seeing no action at Virginia Tech. He then had six targets and two catches total vs. Iowa and Ohio State before his breakout last Saturday at Nebraska. Dixon-Veal has eight catches on 13 targets for 65 yards and a score for the season.

“I feel like I can do anything,” said Dixon-Veal. “Most importantly, I feel I run really good routes. So, I’m always open. Also my speed and my YAC (yards after catch). I feel like I’m a pretty complete receiver.”

Dixon-Veal has stepped up with Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen missing the last two games dealing with knee issues. Yaseen’s status is murky for this week’s game at Michigan, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. That means Dixon-Veal may be asked to play a key role again for Purdue (2-6 overall; 1-4 Big Ten) as it clings to bowl hopes vs. the Wolverines (8-0; 5-0) as a 32.5-point underdog.

“Not too many people believe in us,” said Dixon-Veal. “But, you know, we believe in us. So, it’s time to prove all the doubters wrong. Prove ourselves right.”

The 6-0, 185-pound Dixon-Veal and Purdue will be facing one of the nation’s top defenses. The Wolverines rank No. 1 in the country in total defense (226.8 ypg); No. 1 in scoring (5.9 ppg); No. 7 vs. the run (85.8 ypg) and No. 1 vs. the pass (141.0 ypc). If Dixon-Veal needs any inspiration, he can look at his jersey number: 0.

“I just felt like zero people can guard me,” said Dixon-Veal, smiling as he explained his choice of number.

MORE: First and 10: Purdue at Michigan | First Look: Michigan | Heavy underdog Purdue will struggle to find answers vs. mighty Michigan | Gold and Black Radio: Thoughts on charity game, football, more | The 3-2-1: Numbers don’t lie–Kydran Jenkins has All-Big Ten look

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