Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Lineman Jake Dixon

First, beyond the local connection, why did you choose to sign with the Steelers?

Just the opportunity to play for my hometown team – it’s something I dreamed about since I was a kid. I don’t know if it has set in yet – it’s slowly becoming a reality. They are the best organization in the NFL – I couldn’t pass up a chance to play for them. It’s something I wanted my whole life.

The team has a big need at depth at offensive tackle. Is that something you knew going into signing with the team? Did it help influence that decision?

I like to think of myself as a versatile player. Anywhere Coach Tomlin or Coach Meyer think I should play I’m happy to play there. I’m just excited to learn the system.

Did you speak with the team at all pre-draft?

I had a few conversations leading up to our Pro Day. They were productive conversations – I felt good after the draft when I got the call. After the draft things can get thrown on their head pretty quickly, so it was a huge relief when I got the call from Danny Colbert.

Does the local connection make it easier or tougher – add more pressure or just offer less distractions?

I went to college in my hometown and played in front of hometown fans my whole life. So I don’t think that’s more pressure than I’m used to. As you said not having to learn a new city –  that takes some of the pressure off and takes away some of the distractions. I can focus more on the on-the-field stuff and on the coaching and learning the system.

Know any guys in the draft class or on the team? Talk to any of them like Christian about what it’s like on the Steelers?

Christian’s been my go-to guy as a fellow Duquesne grad – I’ve been busy absorbing everything he’s told me. I can’t thank him enough for his guidance – from training to pre-draft advice.

The biggest thing he helped me with was just to focus on controlling what you can control. To focus on working hard – working your butt off and just focus on the things I can control on my own.

You were a terrific volleyball player before you turned to football and transferred to Duquesne.  Why the change and how did volleyball help you with football?

First off is explosion. The jumping added to my athleticism. Also, striking the ball has helped with hand placement – especially in pass protection. Hitting a moving ball is similar to hitting a moving player – it takes hand-eye coordination and precision. Playing volleyball helped with that as well.

You started off as a tight end but switched to tackle when asked – something Coach Doria at Duquesne said was typical of your unselfish approach in general. How does that same approach evidence itself on game days?

I think for me it’s about helping someone else execute at the highest level. I’m not a rah-rah in-your-face kind of guy. I’ll pull guys aside to see what’s going on and see how I can help them. That helps me to learn about my teammates.

When I switched from tight end to tackle it also helped me to understand the offense better. Tight ends need to understand the run and pass game – knowing what a tight end needed to understand as a tackle helped me to understand better the timing I needed to have with defenders – when I needed to get their hands down, things like that.

Sounds like there may be a bit of a coaching bug in you someday?

I think so. My uncle is the head coach at Seneca Valley – wee have coaches all through our family. I think it comes naturally to me – I definitely see a coach in me someday.

In terms of strengths/weaknesses – what areas do you need to improve on most and what do you think you do best?

I think what’s going to help me is my athleticism at the next level. The increased speed of the game – a lot of guys run a faster 40 than me, but I think any athleticism – having played three sports in high school – I think that will help me to adapt to the speed of the NFL.

You were a semi-finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy – given to the college player with the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance. How important was that consideration for you and why?

All the on-field stuff is important – but one day football ends – hopefully not for a long time, but it will end. You need to be a member of the community as well and I think I’ve done that. I’ve tried hard to be a valuable member of the Pittsburgh community – that’s been very important to me. To be considered for the award was a huge honor.

What does success look like year one to you?

Just learning the system and being 100% mentally focused on the game and taking in all of the coaching. Controlling what I can control and working my butt off.

Lastly, what should we know about you that has nothing to do with football?

I love to golf. I’m not a great golfer but I love to play.

And I’m just a big Pittsburgh guy at heart. I love Pittsburgh – I stayed up until midnight to watch the Pens game last night! I love the city – I was born and raised here. I just can’t wait for the opportunity to begin – to be a part of such a tremendous organization!

Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades.  To order, just click on the book: