Penn State Player to be Excited about in 2026: CB Daryus Dixson
STATE COLLEGE, PA - AUGUST 30: Daryus Dixson #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with Audavion Collins #2 and Antoine Belgrave-Shorter #3 after a play against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the second half at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium on August 30, 2025 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images It’s long past due to wash away the bitter disappointment that was the 2025 season for Penn State. As we turn the page to a new era, it’s time to look ahead to 2026.
Today we start with a rising true sophomore who seems poised to become the next star of the Nittany Lions secondary. Daryus Dixson had no shortage of hype entering his college career. He came to Happy Valley all the way from Santa Ana, California, ranked as the seventh-best player in a state loaded with talent, as well as the 88th overall best player and 11th-ranked cornerback.
Despite joining a secondary stocked with established veterans, Dixson was just too good to keep off the field. He started ahead of the curve, with physicality and love for contact that can’t be taught. Despite being under 200 lbs.
, Dixson often looks like a linebacker flying around and tacking down ball carriers. The season began with a couple appearances in the non-conference schedule before it was ultimately decided to burn his redshirt. It didn’t take long for Dixson to prove that he belonged.
As the season got deeper into the Big Ten slate, Dixson continued to improve each week as he demonstrated why he was such a sought-after recruit. Dixson made a statement against Indiana, taking down Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza for a key sack and forced fumble. It was nearly enough to help the Nittany Lions pull off a stunning upset, coming up just a toe tap away from defeating the eventual national championships.