THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University senior wide receiver
Dai'Jean Dixon was one of 35 players across the country to be named to the prestigious Stats Perform FCS Walter Payton Award Watch List, the organization announced Wednesday.
The Payton Award, given to the offensive player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision and first awarded in 1987, has watched past winners such as Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance move on to the NFL. More players can join the watch list during the regular season, and a national media panel will select the winner following it.
A two-time All-Southland First Team honoree, Dixon became the program's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns last spring. He enters the fall season with 2,800 career yards receiving to go along with 27 touchdown grabs.
Dixon posted a strong spring campaign with 514 yards receiving and eight total touchdowns in the Colonels' seven games. In 2019, the New Orleans native had a breakout season with 1,044 yards and eight touchdowns in only nine games played. He ranked second in the FCS with 116.0 yards per game and was in the top 20 with 19.3 yards per catch.
A Phil-Steele All-American selection in the spring, Dixon has totaled nine 100-yard games for his career and ranks eighth all-time in the Southland Conference in receiving yards and touchdowns.
