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Iowa star DL Daviyon Nixon announces decision on NFL future
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
One of the best defenders in the nation has decided to turn pro.
Iowa junior defensive lineman Daviyon Nixon announced on Twitter that he’s declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft.
To be continued…..🐤💯 pic.twitter.com/OteA52AiUw
— DaviyonNixon (@DaviyonNixon) December 30, 2020
For helping Iowa climb out of an 0-2 hole and end the regular season with six consecutive victories, Nixon earned B1G Defensive Player of the Year and was a First-team AP All-American selection during his breakthrough junior campaign. Nixon amassed 5.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, a pick-6, and a forced fumble this season.
“My first mindset was to run through the QB, but I saw the right tackle was close and I thought, ‘I got to go score.”@DaviyonNixon x Euro step | #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/yc8egjhyqx
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) November 22, 2020
The clutch fourth-quarter pick-6 vs. Penn State is the perfect snapshot for those qualities in the 6-3, 305-pound Nixon. On the play, Iowa blitzed Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford, who threw in Nixon’s direction. The big DT immediately licked his chops. The nifty Nixon managed to cross up Clifford in the process. The dynamic play perfectly encapsulated Nixon’s instincts and agility.
Nixon has made a major leap coming off of a sophomore year in which he tallied 3 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss.
Nixon’s size, strength, and athleticism makes him a nightmare for opposing offenses. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has Nixon as the No. 1 defensive tackle on his big board from Dec. 17.
Rolando Rosa brings his experience covering college football to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @RolandoRosa3.