Dixon's a Vandal

COEUR d'ALENE - Lake City High senior lineman Zion Dixon wasn't sure where he fit on the college football recruiting landscape until last summer.

Then in June, he was named top offensive lineman at the Northwest Elite Football Camp in Tukwila, Wash., out of roughly 100 linemen.

“I really didn’t have any idea what level I could play at before,” Dixon said. “But going against Division I kids showed me I could compete at that level.”

On Monday night, during a home visit from Paul Petrino, Idaho football coach, and Kris Cinkovich, Vandals assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, Dixon verbally committed to play for the Vandals.

“I like the fact that it was close to home, and I think it’s a good school academically,” the 6-foot-4, 290-pound Dixon said. “I think coach Petrino is doing a good job with the program, he’s taking steps in the right direction, and I want to be a part of it.”

Dixon, who played right guard at Lake City, was an all-5A Inland Empire League selection this season for the Timberwolves, who finished 9-2 and reached the semifinals of the state playoffs. He also saw quite a bit of action on the defensive line for Lake City, particularly down the stretch.

Dixon said the Vandals “want me to play inside, either guard or center.”

Dixon said he chose Idaho over Washington State, Boise State and Montana. He said those three schools offered him the chance to be a preferred walk-on.

He said he has taken unofficial visits to WSU, BSU and Montana, and plans to take one official recruiting trip — to Idaho in late January.

Zion’s sister, Moriah, is a junior at Idaho.

“I thought he had a great year,” Lake City coach Van Troxel said. “Physically, he was the leader on our football team, and played well in big games, and really made us go. When you go back and watch the games, you realize how big a factor he really was.”

The recruiting process with Idaho started a few weeks ago when Vandal assistant Alfred Pupunu came to Lake City to talk with Dixon and another player.

“He watched my stuff, and called me up about a week later and offered,” Dixon said.

These days, Dixon is in the midst of wrestling season. On Tuesday night, he was scheduled to wrestle at 285 pounds vs. Jason Malek of West Valley, another Idaho verbal commit.

Dixon placed fourth last year in his first trip to state.

“I want to see how far I can take it, see if I can win a state title,” Dixon said.