Sterling Dixon talks recent visit to Alabama, high school flip

Sterling Dixon announced his commitment to Alabama on December 1. There’s been a few changes on-and-off the field during the course of the last eight months. Dixon has seen turnover on Alabama’s defensive staff, other programs are not reluctant in slowing down their pursuit and most recently a flip from Mobile Christian to Spanish Fort for his final high school football season.

Dixon spoke with BOL about all the changes that have occurred since his decision. It also included a switch from playing EDGE to inside linebacker where Dixon will play once he arrives at Alabama in January. He returned to Tuscaloosa, the final visit before the season, for the Champions Cook-Out on July 29. 

“This time it just felt like home,” Dixon said regarding the recent visit to Alabama. “It just feels normal. It almost feels like I am already there. They treat me like family.

“The best part is just building a better bond with the players and my future teammates. I was around other recruits who have the same vision as me. I spent a lot of time with Justin Okorokwo and Isaia Faga. It’s nice to get to know them more.”

Dixon has continued to hear heavily from Auburn and LSU despite his commitment to Alabama. He took an unofficial visit to LSU in early June, and rumors swirled in Baton Rouge of Dixon on the verge of flipping to the Tigers. 

The momentum on the LSU side came to a halt after Dixon returned to Tuscaloosa for an official visit on June 16-18. There was discussion of a return visit to LSU on July 28, the day prior to the Champions Cook-Out in Tuscaloosa. 

Dixon excited about Alabama this season

Dixon is not anticipating any additional visits outside of football games at Bryant-Denny Stadium this fall. He said he expects to attend most, if not all, Alabama home games. 

“Everyone is hungry,” he said about the 2023 Alabama football team. “The mission was cut short last year. They played Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl instead of going to the playoffs. Everyone on the team is like-minded. They have the same goal, and that’s to win a national championship.

“Everyone outside of Alabama is thinking they are starting to fall off. They didn’t meet the standard last year. They have been working overtime this year. Coach (Nick) Saban is pushing those guys, and continuing to help them get better. I know they will bounce back this year.”

Alabama replaced Pete Golding with Kevin Steele as its defensive coordinator, and also hired Robert Bala as inside linebackers coach after Austin Armstrong received a call to become the defensive coordinator at Florida a month after named to the Tide’s staff.

Dixon quickly established a strong relationship with Coach Bala and Coach Steele. He has praised the connection built with the defensive coaches, though Dixon has known Coach Steele since the eighth grade. 

“I’ve been talking with him pretty much every day,” Dixon said in an interview with BOL in June. “He’s been showing me the ropes. I understand what he stands for. He understands what I stand for. It’s business-oriented. He knows I love football, and he loves it. It makes it easier to connect.

“Coach Steele is a great guy. You remember Rashaan Evans? That’s exactly the linebacker he compares me to. He has the ability to rush, he has the ability to drop back in space. Definitely a great rusher. I’d play linebacker first and second, and rush on third down. They’d move me around and get me mis-matches.”

The switch from outside to inside

The two coaches talk with Dixon on a daily basis which includes advice on being a leader, meeting the standard every day and always playing to the best of his ability. He is very appreciative of the player-coach relationship. The in-state linebacker also hears regularly from current Alabama players.

“I talk with Deonte Lawson and Dallas Turner,” Dixon said. “They talk to me every day. They give me advice, tell me how I can continue to grow and develop. They tell me just take things day-by-day. Run down hill when I see the hole open. Don’t second guess myself.”

Alabama recruited Dixon to play inside linebacker. It’s a position he started training for in January after spending his career as an EDGE rusher. Dixon had 172 tackles, 18 sacks and 39 tackles for a loss during his junior season which earned him the Class 3A Lineman of the Year.

“I think it was the best thing that could have ever happened to me,” he said on the position change. “It made the game faster. I love playing inside. I think it helps me make more tackles and be an even more effective player. I’ve always been a leader, but didn’t really speak up. I am now more of a vocal leader.”

A flip to 6A

Dixon has his own personal goals this season which includes Mr. Football and the Class 6A Lineman of the Year. It’s not about him though. Dixon knows if he can make an impact on the defensive side of the ball with 15+ sacks it will help his new team compete for a state title.

“I feel like it was one of the best moves I could make,” he said regarding the recent transfer of high school. “It was the best move because it’s like you are already in college. They have a very similar schedule to what it’s like once you get to the next level.

“I wanted to play on a bigger stage. You have former college coaches teaching you and training you the same way they would do in college. It was just the best situation for me. I want to be prepared when I get to Alabama in January. This was the way to help maximize that before I get to college.”

It took a few days for Dixon to adjust once he started practicing with the Toros last week. He now has his legs under him and feels right at home. The Top 10 recruit in Alabama doesn’t expect anything less than a state championship at the end of the season.

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