The good news keeps coming from Ohio State’s underclassmen as fourth-year junior receiver Johnnie Dixon became the third Buckeye to announce on Thursday that he would be forgoing the NFL Draft in favor of returning for one more season in the Scarlet and Gray.
Dixon, who joins H-back Parris Campbell and defensive tackle Dre’mont Jones in coming back, announced his return via Twitter with a message of “unfinished business.”
Unfinished business! 1 last ride #Gobucks pic.twitter.com/NB9ehwe2te
— Johnnie L. Dixon III (@YoungKing_JD5) January 12, 2018
The 2017 season was Dixon’s first as a healthy Buckeye, and he responded by leading the team with eight touchdown receptions. He finished with 18 receptions for 422 yards, averaging 23.4 yards per reception.
Having dealt with knee issues for his first three years on campus, Dixon played in every game for the Buckeyes for the first time in his career this past season.
Despite not finishing in the Top 50 in receptions in the Big Ten this past season, his six receptions of 30 or more yards with third-most in the conference.
Due to his history of injuries, Dixon almost stepped away from the game entirely following the 2016 season. He was talked into returning by teammates Parris Campbell and Terry McLaurin. It was no surprise, then, that Dixon announced his return on the same day that Campbell announced his.
You know wherever 21 @PCampbell21 at 1 right with em https://t.co/b26ceWVt80
— Johnnie L. Dixon III (@YoungKing_JD5) January 12, 2018
Dixon’s return, along with Campbell’s, and the likely return of McLaurin and K.J. Hill, will give Ohio State’s next starting quarterback an entirely intact receiving corps from the 2017 season.
Great to see each of these young men returning for another year! Not only do they have a chance to refine their skills, but they also have another year to enjoy just being young men before getting caught up in the NFL machine that will use them as long as they are usable, then spit them out as soon as they’re not.
These returnees might be the “missing links” to help the Buckeyes toward another National Championship we fans would so love to see.
GO BUCKS – and best of luck to Dixon, Campbell, Jones, Weber, and the rest of the 2018 Buckeye squad!
With a passer with any kind of field vision Dixon is going to have a season to remember in 2018.
From game 1 through the bowl he was exactly like 7-11..always open and always ignored. That’s going to change in 2018.
GREAT news! If Johnny can stay healthy I’m betting he can get open deep more next fall as he’ll have game experience to do so. Will he be Devin Smith good? Probably not but if he can get open HALF the time Devin did we’re gonna be VERY happy fans whether it’s Dwayne or Joe throwin’ it to him.