Young Penn State cornerback gives hopeful update on his future in Happy Valley

Penn State football's transition from the former head coach James Franklin era to the incoming head coach Matt Campbell era is in full swing with recruiting and transfers making announcements one after another.

The Nittany Lions have been on both sides of the craze as incoming freshmen boosted their disappointing Signing Day class. However, there are still significant departures about to hit the Transfer Portal in January, offsetting the hype.

Two of the potential top transfers, cornerback A.J. Harris and edge rusher Chaz Coleman, already announced their intentions to depart the Nittany Lions, both crushing blows.

Another on that list of players that would be key for Campbell to retain is cornerback and freshman Daryus Dixson. Unlike Harris and Coleman, his latest social media post is something Penn State fans can latch onto.

“As of right now, I’m a Penn Stater," Dixson posted on Twitter/X. "I’m just going to work better on my craft with football and just let God handle the rest of anything else that happens.”

Cornerback Daryus Dixson remains at Penn State for the time being

The Perris, Calif. native arrived in State College as a four-star recruit, according to 247Sports Composite rankings, which ranked him the third-highest recruit in the class. Dixson matched that hype when Franklin named him one of two freshmen eligible to burn their redshirts immediately, joined by Coleman. Over his freshman year, Dixson tallied 14 solo tackles, two interceptions, and six pass deflections.

It isn't just his talent in coverage that makes him a crucial player to retain, though. Dixson also forced a fumble in two games, against Indiana and Northwestern. He's a playmaker and with three years of eligibility remaining, he can be something special on Penn State's defense.

The cornerback stands at six feet tall with a wingspan six inches longer, which allows him to make needed plays and already gives him an NFL-level ceiling.

At Mater Dei High School, which produces so many pro athletes across almost all sports, Dixson received 26 offers. Ultimately, he took visits to all of his final three schools, Washington, Tennessee, and Penn State, before deciding to head to Happy Valley.

If Dixson opts to head elsewhere, those schools will likely be in the mix, especially the Volunteers, who took their visit with the recruit after he had already committed to the blue and white. In 2026, the Volunteers will also employ the only defensive coordinator to coach the cornerback at the collegiate level, Jim Knowles, after he departed from Penn State.

For Penn State next year, the only incoming recruits currently committed to bolster the secondary are both safeties. Outside of that, the cornerback room is relatively thin and will see a newcomer step up regardless of Dixson's status. His return is essential for defensive stability.