The Buckeyes didn’t have to go far to land running back Sam Williams-Dixon, who attended nearby Pickerington North High School as a senior. Before that, however, he spent his first three years at West Holmes High School in Millersburg, Ohio where he accounted for 76 touchdowns total as a sophomore and junior. Williams-Dixon had his senior season cut short at Pickerington North after five games, but did open the season with 171 yards rushing on 15 carries against Cincinnati Elder.
Ranked the No. 24 player in Ohio and the No. 660 player nationally by the 247Sports Composite, Williams-Dixon signed with Ohio State over offers from Michigan State, Tennessee, Rutgers, Wisconsin, West Virginia and others. He was ranked the No. 48 athlete overall in the 2024 recruiting class.
What To Like
Part of the story of Sam Williams-Dixon’s recruitment is that he was being targeted as an “all-purpose back,” which is a term often used to describe a pass-catching, third-down running back. It’s a situational pigeonhole that isn’t really necessary anymore because of the proliferation of the passing game in football. Ironically, in today’s game, the running backs that can’t be relied on to catch the ball consistently are the real situational running backs.
Lest somebody see Williams-Dixon as something lesser because of an “all-purpose” or “athlete” label, former Buckeye Ezekiel Elliott was once ranked the No. 5 all-purpose back in the 2013 recruiting class, behind players such as Alvin Kamara, Ty Isaac, Ryan Green, and Taquan Mizzell. Williams-Dixon is very much a running back first, so don’t think less of him just because he can also catch the ball like a wide receiver.
The Potential
Sam Williams-Dixon (5-11 203) was blowing past the competition at West Holmes High School, which begged the question about level of competition. Dixon attempted to answer those questions by transferring to a larger division of football. His first outing seemed to answer some of those questions, but they were questions that Ohio State didn’t really have. They had already accepted his commitment long before he played his first game for the Panthers.
With the ball in his hands, Williams-Dixon can hit the hole quickly, but when patience is needed, he’s happy to use it. He isn’t dancing and looking for a hole, he’s reading his blocks and looking for a crease. He is comfortable bouncing the ball outside and he has the speed and vision to make something happen when he gets out there.
The Expectations
The Buckeyes will take the field this year with four scholarship running backs, which is one under head coach Ryan Day’s target number. Walk-on TC Caffey should be capable of filling in any gaps, and running backs coach Carlos Locklyn isn’t going to expect any less from him. But it’s a pretty top-heavy room with two very proven runners in TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, and then two true freshmen in Williams-Dixon and James Peoples.
There will be playing time available for at least one freshman this season. Williams-Dixon should be able to get at least his four regular season games in, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him go beyond that number given his versatility and the depth of the position.
A lot of what can be expected from Williams-Dixon was seen in the Ohio State spring game back in April when he led the team with 75 yards rushing on 11 carries. Running behind an offensive line comprised of backups, he was only stopped for a loss on one of his carries — and that was because of a slip. Footing was an issue a couple of times, but he held up well enough to put up nearly 7 yards per carry.
The Bottom Line
Sam Williams-Dixon is a skilled runner who is also a natural ball catcher. Everything is done with good timing. He doesn’t fight passes and he doesn’t run into the line without looking where he’s going. Awareness is a talent, and his displays it.
Williams-Dixon also understands that not every run is going to get big yards, so he’s content with getting what he can and keeping the offense on schedule. The three yards in the hand is worth more than the possibility of losing three yards in the bush. The amount of subtlety to his game allows him to maintain speed and still move well through traffic.
A large volume of snaps will be difficult this season, but after TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins leave for the NFL after this year, opportunities will abound next year.
Previous Closer Look Editions
Quarterback Will Howard | Running Back Quinshon Judkins | Receiver Mylan Graham | Tight End Will Kacmarek | Center Seth McLaughlin | Defensive Tackle Eric Mensah | Linebacker Payton Pierce | Safety Leroy Roker | Safety Jaylen McClain | Safety Caleb Downs | Safety Keenan Nelson, Jr.
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