Tariq Castro-Fields’ return gives Penn State Football’s secondary chance to be James Franklin’s best

Johnny Dixon

Sophomore Johnny Dixon brings SEC experience arriving in Happy valley via the transfer portal.

He became a starter for the Gamecocks this season after their top two corners opted out for the season due to covid-19. Dixon, listed at six-foot and 185 pounds, totaled 34 tackles and five pass breakups in 2020, while also intercepting a pass in his freshman season in 2019.

Last season, the Tampa, Florida native allowed the fourth lowest completion percentage in the SEC, with quarterbacks completing just 35.3% of passes thrown in his direction. Dixon brings three years of eligibility with him to the Nittany Lions, but expect him to at least compete for a starting role, if not be one of the first corners in the rotation off the sidelines for defensive coordinator Brent Pry.