Inside The Huskies

Husky Defense Had Off Day in Oregon, But Not Thaddeus Dixon

The senior corner led the UW in tackles and added to his healthy PBU total.

Dan Raley

Huskies cornerback Thaddeus Dixon celebrates after a pass interception against Washington State.
Huskies cornerback Thaddeus Dixon celebrates after a pass interception against Washington State. / Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Rather bluntly, the University of Washington defense was a no-show over the weekend at Autzen Stadium. Oregon moved the Husky interior linemen off the ball with little trouble. The edge rushers supplied no pressure. Accredited cornerback Ephesians Prysock even was beaten badly for a touchdown pass.

Yet while the UW stop unit gave up its most points (49) and third-most total offensive yards (458), the game wasn't a total wash for those guys on that side of the ball.

Thaddeus Dixon, the other Husky corner, continues to make himself noticeable even when the Husky defenders fizzle as a group.

Against Oregon, the senior led the Huskies with tackles in a game for the first time this season, finishing with 8, including one textbook takedown that brought him a lot of social-media visibility. He picked up yet another pass break-up to give him 10, which puts him among the nation's leaders. He had a targeting call waved off, which meant he was still playing physical at all times.

While the Huskies have gone without the services of multiple playmakers in Zach Durfee, Russell Davis II and Jayvon Parker for much of the year, the 6-foot-1, 186-pound Dixon from Los Angeles has had a breakout season.

He's gone from back-up corner in 2023 to become the Huskies' best defensive back this season and a viable NFL prospect.

Oregon Ducks running back Da'Jaun Riggs gets tangled up with Huskies cornerback Thaddeus Dixon at Autzen Stadium.
Oregon Ducks running back Da'Jaun Riggs gets tangled up with Huskies cornerback Thaddeus Dixon at Autzen Stadium. / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

"I always didn't see the light at the end of the tunnel," Dixon said memorably at midseason. "But to be here now, making plays on the big stage, I just look at my like younger self and I just know he'd be nothing but be proud."

Not many seven-round mock drafts have dropped just yet, but College Football Network put out their latest over the week and listed Dixon as a fifth-round selection, at No. 174 overall going to the Los Angeles Chargers, which would take him home.

He's got good size, great instincts and enough swagger at one of the NFL's most valued positions to put him in position for a pro football future.

Dixon also is an example for others to follow where, with an unwavering belief in his talents and a willingness to always play aggressively, he showed everyone you can't typecast him as a back-up corner, that's he's a big-play guy who doesn't take a game off.

For the latest UW football and basketball news, go to si.com/college/washington

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Dan Raley
DAN RALEY

Dan Raley has worked for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, as well as for MSN.com and Boeing, the latter as a global aerospace writer. His sportswriting career spans four decades and he's covered University of Washington football and basketball during much of that time. In a working capacity, he's been to the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, the MLB playoffs, the Masters, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and countless Final Fours and bowl games.

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