Head Coach Mike Grossner gave Dillon Baxter another chance on Sunday, and Baxter once again showed resolve to keep his dreams of someday playing in the NFL alive.
As a former USC Trojan and one-time San Diego State student-athlete, Baxter looks to pick himself up alongside his new teammates and coach at NAIA Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas. Coach Grossner anticipates the former California high school touchdown record holder to contribute to the offense in a number of ways, similar to the many different positions Baxter played while he starred at Mission Bay.
“You know, it is exciting for the program,” sophomore quarterback Jake Morse told the Baker Orange student newspaper. “It is going to be national news, but it is exciting for the program."
CLA Sports was able to witness the excitement of Dillon Baxter first-hand while he was a senior at Mission Bay, and he didn't dissappoint. "The depth chart may be the only thing that keeps him off the field as a true freshman," said Barry Every of Yahoo! Sports. Baxter was the top football recruit to come out of the San Diego region since USC Heisman Trophy Winner and Super Bowl Champion Reggie Bush, and he highlighted the Trojans 2010 football recruiting class.
Baxter possessed athletic ability beyond his years as a prep and as a senior was one of USC Head Coach Pete Carroll's top recruits that included the likes of Robert Woods, Dion Bailey and Kyle Prater. After Carroll left for the NFL and amidst the threat of NCAA recruiting violations, Baxter nonetheless held strong in his commitment to the Trojans.
As a freshman, Baxter helped shine a national media spotlight on the SC football program after his performance in the Trojans' 2010 Spring game. Baxter's electrifying touchdown run was featured on ESPN Sportscenter, the front page of Yahoo! and several other media outlets. The touchdown run provided a much-needed breath of fresh air for the Trojan faithful, however, the tides turned for Baxter after he was suspended for the season-opener vs. Hawaii for a violation of team rules. Another close-call came when Baxter was temporarily dismissed from the team for receiving a ride in a golf cart on campus, which the school considered to be an "improper benefit" under NCAA rules due to the student-driver's affiliation with a sports agency.
Baxter served a one-game suspension and was reinstated with the team, however, the talented student-athlete eventually became disillusioned with the USC program and officially parted ways with the team in 2011. Soon after, Baxter enrolled at San Diego State for a short time before leaving the team in February.
It's not beyond the imagination that a player with the talent of Baxter still has the chance to turn things around and have a shot at making it to the NFL from an NAIA program. Consider Houston Texans running back Derrick Ward, who faced injuries and academic troubles at Fresno State. Ward left the Bulldogs and the game of football for several of years before receiving a second-chance. A number of factors contributed to Ward's departure from the Bulldogs, according to the Tampa Bay Times, but he showed resolve and was able to jump-start his football career at NAIA Ottawa University, coincidentally in Kansas.
Ward went on to rush for over 2,000 yards and 28 touchdowns, and set several NAIA single-season rushing records in one year with Ottawa. After being drafted by the Jets, Ward signed with the New York Giants and became a 1,000 yard rusher in 2008.
Everyone's path to the NFL is different. As Dillon Baxter continues his goal of being mentioned alongside former San Diego preps that went on to play in the NFL such as Marcus Allen, Reggie Bush and Alex Smith, College Level Athletes looks forward to following his journey.
