Although the NAU football team returns a large number of veterans on both sides of the ball, one position's lack of experience stands out. Departed running back and three-time All-Big Sky Conference selection Alex Henderson who, after four years of carrying the ball, left with 3,274 career rushing yards, the second-best total in Lumberjacks' history. His graduation left a void of experience and production that won't be easily replaced.
Sophomore Giovannie Dixon, though, is hoping the transition is a seamless one. Since transferring as a walk-on at Arizona State to a full-ride scholarship at NAU before the start of the 2009 season, he's been steadily gaining ground as the main man to carry the rock.
"When he comes out here between the white lines, he's taking the role that Alex left last year," running backs coach Chris Taylor said. "He's trying to lead by example and is busting his tail every day. Everything we've asked him to do, he's doing."
In his first spring at NAU, Dixon is playing like it's his job to lose. He's showcased his back-breaking speed and that he's willing to take would-be tacklers head on. His aggressiveness is an element in his game he wants to work on during spring practice.
Unlike in high school in southern California where he just ran past everyone, Dixon knows that tactic is not going to work at the college level.
http://www.azdailysun.com/sports/college/nau-lumberjacks/article_7b289eec-f364-5497-8c53-a99ba8c9ea44.html
Sophomore Giovannie Dixon, though, is hoping the transition is a seamless one. Since transferring as a walk-on at Arizona State to a full-ride scholarship at NAU before the start of the 2009 season, he's been steadily gaining ground as the main man to carry the rock.
"When he comes out here between the white lines, he's taking the role that Alex left last year," running backs coach Chris Taylor said. "He's trying to lead by example and is busting his tail every day. Everything we've asked him to do, he's doing."
In his first spring at NAU, Dixon is playing like it's his job to lose. He's showcased his back-breaking speed and that he's willing to take would-be tacklers head on. His aggressiveness is an element in his game he wants to work on during spring practice.
Unlike in high school in southern California where he just ran past everyone, Dixon knows that tactic is not going to work at the college level.
http://www.azdailysun.com/sports/college/nau-lumberjacks/article_7b289eec-f364-5497-8c53-a99ba8c9ea44.html
