Lyn-J Dixon- if healthy- could be a major breakout star for Clemson football in 2021
The 2021 Clemson football team has a chance to be special, but that will only happen if players step into new roles and develop over the course of this offseason.
Clemson football will lose two historically-great players in Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne, and the Tigers will be looking to replace them this spring.
Clemson already has the answer at quarterback with former 5-star D.J. Uiagalelei (the No. 1 QB in the 2020 class) taking over. Uiagalelei has already shown the potential to possibly even be better than Lawrence or Deshaun Watson when it’s all said and done.
That being said, one of the major questions for Clemson football this offseason is at running back
Lyn-J Dixon has shown flashes of greatness during his time as a Tiger, but he hasn’t been able to get on the field enough to prove that he can be a consistent back who carries an offense.
It’s not necessarily to put blame on him- he was behind the greatest RB in Clemson history- but it is to say that he has a lot to prove as this spring continues.
Last week, Dixon spoke with the media and admitted that an injury to his leg held him back a little more than he would’ve liked during the 2020 season.
"“I was coming up off of a little injury in the fall and I know that held me back a little bit,” Dixon said via Clemson Sports Talk. “In midseason it started getting back better, I started building my confidence. Having older guys here, telling me things that I need to do to like upgrade on my game.”"
Though he didn’t garner as much playing time as he would’ve liked, Dixon said that transferring wasn’t an option because of how Clemson prepares you for all facets of life, not just football.
"“Really, looking at the big picture because Clemson has everything to equip you for life,” Dixon said via Tigernet. Coaches here, they care about you and they are going to give you every tool you need for life, not just football.”"
Coming off that injury and now fully healthy, Dixon is going to get his chance on the gridiron. He is listed as the starter right now and he has taken his role as a veteran leader to heart.
Anyone who has watched Dixon run knows that- when healthy- he may be just as good of a pure runner as Travis Etienne. Knowing the amount of potential he possesses and the motivation that he is coming into 2021 with makes us believe he has a real opportunity to be a breakout player this season.
He has work to do, sure, but there’s no doubt that he has all the tools needed to be successful this season for the Tigers.