Kyle Dixon’s story is one that keeps getting more impressive. The wide receiver came to Culver-Stockton College from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he played Division I baseball. In high school, he was a two-sport athlete, an all-state football player and a standout pitcher with 80 strikeouts in just 48 innings.
After a few years of baseball, Dixon decided to return to the sport he truly loved: football. He joined the Wildcats and quickly became one of the most talked-about players on the team. In his first collegiate football game, he recorded 189 yards and two touchdowns against Mount Marty. Now, just a season later, NFL scouts have started to take notice.
With more than 20 scouts reaching out or visiting this season, it’s no surprise there’s plenty of attention around Dixon. Still, his focus hasn’t changed.
“Honestly, at first it was difficult and a little bit of a distraction,” Dixon admitted. “But I realized none of that will matter if I don’t perform on the field, so I had to block out the noise.”
While he appreciates the recognition, Dixon tries not to let it affect his mindset.
“I’m grateful, but I’m not trying to get caught up in it at all.”
His teammates have been nothing but supportive, and their energy helps keep things fresh as the season goes on.
“I think it’s fired the guys up quite a bit,” he said. “It helps keep the long season from feeling too repetitive, and they’ve all been extremely supportive of me, so I can’t complain.”
He doesn’t feel any extra pressure to perform, something he credits his girlfriend for helping with.
“She helped me stay focused on what’s really important,” he said. “It’s not about performing for scouts. It’s about doing everything we can to win that game for each other.”
When it comes to what’s next, Dixon is staying grounded.
“Things will move faster after the season, so I’m not focused on that right now,” he said. “It’s my last college season, and I just want to enjoy it with this group of friends.”
The growing attention hasn’t changed how he prepares for games either.
“I like to hold myself to a high standard and expect a lot from myself,” Dixon explained. “Getting feedback from scouts has helped me work on specific parts of my game, but overall, I just keep doing what I’ve always done.”
So far, he’s met with a few teams’ national scouting directors and estimates that more than 20 scouts have contacted the team or come to campus.
For Dixon, though, it’s clear that his heart remains with the game, not the headlines. He’s focused on finishing strong, helping his team, and seeing where football takes him next.
