TonyDixon

One of several capable UK tailbacks … Coaches like his sound fundamental play … Showed improved speed and moves last season … Has rushed for 958 career yards, and grabbed 38 passes for 290 ticks … Career-long rush of 67 yards for a score as a rookie against Indiana in 2004 … Has seen action in 31 games, making 13 starts … Came to UK as a cornerback, but moved to tailback when injuries hit the offensive backfield in Aug. 2004.

2007 (Junior): Played in 11 games, starting twice … Limited the last month of the season because of hip, shoulder, and ankle injuries … Carried the ball 72 times for a career-best 411 yards, with an excellent average of 5.7 yards per carry … Recorded his first multi-touchdown game against Eastern Kentucky, rushing the ball for two scores … Logged a career-high five receptions in the win over Louisville … Led the team with 78 rushing yards, a season high, in the win at Arkansas.

2006 (Sophomore): Played in 12 games, starting five with Rafael Little limited by injury problems … Although hobbled by a hamstring strain, showed determination in helping lead UK on the game-winning drive vs. Georgia … Accounted for 54 rushing and receiving yards in the 69-yard march, capped by his game-winning three-yard TD run … Team’s second-leading rusher with 303 yards and four touchdowns … Also played a key role in the win over Central Michigan as he rushed 12 times for 49 yards and a touchdown while catching three passes for 46 yards … Elected to the team leadership council, a remarkable honor for a sophomore.

2005 (Sophomore): Missed the season after sustaining a broken bone in his leg during preseason practice … Redshirted.

2004 (Freshman): Played in eight games … Broke into the starting lineup for six games before being sidelined by injury … Rushed 54 times for 244 yards, a 4.5-yard average per carry, and one touchdown … Also caught eight passes for 61 yards … Top game came in the win over Indiana, when he rushed nine times for 105 yards, including a 67-yard scoring dash … Also caught three passes for 34 yards vs. the Hoosiers for a total of 139 yards from the line of scrimmage … Came to UK as a cornerback, but moved to tailback in August of his freshman year when injuries hit the offensive backfield.

High School: As a senior, named the Alabama “Back of the Year” in Class A … Rushed for 2,298 yards and 36 touchdowns during his senior campaign … Also caught 18 passes for 435 yards, an average of 24.2 yards per catch, and six touchdowns … Returned one kickoff for a TD … Set a state record with 43 total touchdowns, including a top game of 531 rushing yards and eight TDs against Hubbertville … Finished fourth in the Alabama “Mr. Football” voting, covering all classifications … Selected to the Birmingham News “Super 12,” a list of the top 12 collegiate prospects in Alabama … Led Parrish HS to a 13-1 record and its first state championship in school history … Named Most Valuable Player of the state title game, a 20-17 come-from-behind victory … Rushed 15 times for 116 yards and two TDs in the championship game, adding 10 tackles and a pass breakup on defense … Five-year letterman and four-year starter … Played tailback on offense and free safety and linebacker on defense … Rushed 133 times for 1,635 yards (a 12.3 average) and 13 touchdowns during his junior season … Also surpassed the 1,000-yard mark as a sophomore … Earned some type of all-state honors for four years, including first-team all-state the last three years … Area Player of the Year for three years by the Jasper Mountain Eagle … Helped his team advance to the state playoffs each of his four seasons as a starter … Played in the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game … Coached by Jimmy Gay … “Tony is a tremendous, fantastic young man,” Gay said. “His work ethic and dedication to the game separate him from other players.” … Also a three-year letterman on the basketball team … Member of the French Club, History Club, Future Farmers of America, and the Seniors Striving for Success organization … Committed to Kentucky in May 2003 and did not seriously consider other schools.

Personal: Born in Jasper, Ala. … Son of Pamela Dixon and Sadie Dixon … Major is social work.

Dixon Career StatisticsYearPositionAtt.Yds.Avg.TDLongRec.Yds.Avg. TDLong2004Tailback542444.51678617.60172006Tailback873033.5416171388.10342007Tailback724115.732613917.0018Totals2139584.5867382907.6034