Clemson is stingy about offering running backs. Why Tigers liked Lyn-J Dixon

It takes a lot to earn an offer from Clemson.

“There’s not a more stingy guy in our building with an offer than Tony Elliott,” Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said. “He is stingy, stingy, stingy when it comes to offering running backs because he wants the right type of people to be in his room. He takes a lot of pride in his room and who he’s with every single day.”

The newest addition to Elliott’s room will soon be Lyn-J Dixon of Butler, Ga. Dixon signed with Clemson in December and will arrive on campus this summer.

He chose the Tigers over offers from Oklahoma State, Alabama, Florida and others.

Dixon committed to Tennessee last June before decommitting in October. He landed an offer from Clemson last July.

Elliott did not hesitate when asked what he likes about Dixon.

“I think we’re gonna get a dynamic playmaker,” Elliott said. “Obviously his body type right now is a little bit different than what we have. He’s a smaller guy. ... You look at what he’s done in his career, he knows how to make plays.”

Dixon rushed for more than 5,000 yards in his high school career and averaged 8.9 yards per carry while being limited to only six games due to an injury as a senior.

As a junior he had 1,914 rushing yards and 35 rushing touchdowns on 229 carries.

Elliott sees plenty of similarities between Dixon and a former Tigers star.

“The reason I fell in love with him is he reminded me a lot of Andre Ellington when you watch his style,” Elliott said. “He’s got great feet, great burst. He’s fast. He’s not a blazer, but he can run. And I think once he gets here in this weight room, on our meal plan, being around these older guys, learning the game, I think you’re going to see a guy that’s very similar to Ellington.”

Ellington rushed for 3,436 yards and 33 touchdowns during his college career and has spent the past five seasons in the NFL.

This story was originally published February 11, 2018 at 5:34 PM with the headline "Clemson is stingy about offering running backs. Why Tigers liked Lyn-J Dixon."