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In one of the few potential “surprises” on National Signing Day, the Hawkeyes added a commitment from Wisconsin defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon. While there was plenty of speculation he would be joining the Hawkeyes, the timing is a bit interesting. Nixon is set to officially announce at 4:30 this afternoon, but the official Iowa Football Twitter account posted that he was on board this morning.
Welcome to the Swarm, DL Daviyon Nixon | #Swarm17
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) February 1, 2017
https://t.co/fzJrd2ymfB
Regardless of timing, Nixon is a very solid late addition. The Kenosha, Wisconsin product has a big body. 247 lists him as a 2-star at 6’3”, 271 lbs. They appear to have not really updated things for some time as Rivals lists him at 6’4” and 285 lbs. Rivals also shows him with a faster 40 time and an extra star. 247 lists Northern Illinois as his only offer, but we know he chose Iowa over offers from Purdue and NIU.
At his size, Nixon has good speed and explosion. There were rumors of some academic questions, which might explain why he wasn’t more highly sought after. No, that’s not former Hawkeye Jaleel Johnson’s high school tape below. Nixon is certainly out of the Johnson mold. He’s big, he’s physical and he’s explosive.
Defensive tackle was a position the staff had circled as a need in this class. Nixon’s spot was originally filled by Juan Harris. It was then vacated, and filled again, and vacated again.... (you get the idea) by Harris. Dallas DL Damion Daniels was targeted while the Texas pipeline was flowing, but that relationship has since fizzled. After receiving the offer last week and visiting over the weekend, Nixon made it official on NSD and could be a great, late find for the Hawkeyes.
The addition brings the class to 21 total scholarship players. The Hawkeyes also have 13 walk-on players in the fold. Look for them to add at least one more scholarship player and potentially more today. Stay tuned to the BHGP National Signing Day Headquarters for all the updates.
Welcome aboard Mr. Nixon.