Dixon will be hitting close to home

Physical Smithfield-Selma linebacker has committed to Tar Heels

Smithfield-Selma's Justin Dixon has size, speed and instincts going for him.

It's why Dixon, who has committed to North Carolina, is rated one of the top inside linebackers in the nation among high school seniors by both major recruiting Web sites: Scout.com and Rivals.com.

It's no surprise that the senior, at 6 feet 2 and 235 pounds, has scouts' attention.

He has clocked a 4.50-second 40-yard dash on grass.

Dixon said his father, who ran track in high school, has encouraged him to focus on speed training.

Dixon competes in the shot put and discus. He reportedly can bench press about 400 pounds and squat 500 pounds.

"He works his butt off," Smithfield-Selma coach Anthony Barbour said. "He's just strong."

Dixon chose UNC over Oklahoma, N.C. State, East Carolina, Tennessee and Clemson.

"I didn't want to go far from home," he said of the decision.

In Smithfield-Selma's 20-6 win over chief rival South Johnston on Friday, Dixon did it all.

He returned kicks, and as the fullback led all rushers with 115 yards on 25 carries.

On defense, he delivered some punishing hits and was penalized more than once for late hits.

That's one of the only knocks against him as a football player.

"He needs to learn how to tone it down," Barbour said.

Barbour pointed to the excessive celebrating and trash-talking in the college and pro ranks, but he admitted, "You just can't do that in high school."

Dixon said he just loves playing linebacker.

"I just like hitting people," he said.

So the names of his favorite NFL players are no surprise. They are all, or were, fearsome linebackers.

There's retired New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor, Baltimore Ravens veteran Ray Lewis and San Diego Chargers star Shawne Merriman.

Dixon said he watches film every week and said one area he can improve on is working on his "vision," though scouts have repeatedly lauded his ability, as a linebacker, to be all over the field -- keeping tabs on tight ends, getting by offensive linemen, chasing down the quarterback and taking down a running back.

That has something to do with his ranking as the No. 5 strongside linebacker in the country, according to Scout.com, in this year's recruiting class.

Dixon said he has NFL aspirations but added nothing is a given, despite his high rankings.

"They're good rankings," he said. "I hope to keep it. You still have to go out every Friday and continue to prove it."

This is the fifth in a series on the top high school football players in North Carolina. Look for a profile each Tuesday in the Huddle.