Think back on each of the last four football seasons. Who is the first person that comes to mind? Better yet, who is the only person that comes to mind? Anthony Dixon. See if you can vividly remember a player scoring a touchdown – on offense – that wasn’t Dixon.
As for basketball, we’re talking about Charles Rhodes and Jamont Gordon. We’re replaying acrobatic Dee Bost layups and big-time 3-pointers from Barry Stewart. It was never a one man show, which basketball often is.
Dixon almost single-handedly carried four different teams through a schedule in the toughest conference in the nation. He played with some of the most anemic passing attacks Scott Field has seen, and he only spent one year behind what most would call an SEC-caliber offensive line.
Yet, the Bulldog formerly known as Boobie broke nearly every rushing record in the books, passing players like Jerious Norwood, James Johnson and Dicenzo Miller along the way.
Look, I don’t have to convince anyone Dixon was an all-time great at Mississippi State. Nor does my baby brother have to talk anyone into thinking the same about Jarvis Varnado.
But how you can possibly replace one of the most talented and well-liked running backs in the history of the SEC?
There are plenty of numbers to back up Dixon – he did account for over 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns last season -but that is not why he is so irreplaceable. A running back by committee approach will be used to replace Dixon, and it certainly won’t fully account for him, but it will suffice.
Dixon’s true value is the effect he had on the rest of the team. Opposing coaches and players frequently said there was one key to beating the Dawgs: stop Dixon. The only problem was, they couldn’t. When defenses stack eight or nine players in the box and they all run at one player, it opens the rest of the field up for anyone on offense not named Anthony Dixon. Dan Mullen knew. That’s why Relf was able to rack up the rushing yards. That’s why Tyson “the-smallest-starting-quarterback-in-the-SEC” Lee was able to rush for almost 350 yards and a pair of TDs.
Maybe Dixon’s yards can be replaced, and more than likely Mullen will change the offense to suit the players. However, there is nothing Mullen or anyone can to do to take the attention away from the other 10 players like Dixon did.
Let’s take a look at Jarvis Varnado. Yes, he will be hard to replace, but it is more easily done. Varnado had his niche blocking shots, and he was great at it, but don’t underestimate the effect Barry Stewart had on defense. When he shut down the other team’s top perimeter player, they would be forced to try and shoot over Varnado, which is, naturally, difficult.
Also, we already have a replacement for Varnado waiting in the wings, and, yes, I’m talking about Renardo Sidney. Sidney brings everything to the game that Varnado did not, and by everything I mean offense. Sidney can score in the post, and he can step out and hit jump shots, too. Of course, Sidney is a downgrade from ‘Swat’ on the defensive end, but it’s not like he’s a pushover. Sidney is listed at 6’10,” 260 pounds, but let’s be honest, he’s pushing 300. Sid the Kid is a big guy, and if you look at any of his tape, he can actually play defense. He won’t block 500 shots, but his defensive downgrade from Varnado more than evens out with his offensive upgrade.
The last, and most important, reason Dixon will be tougher to replace has nothing to do with talent. Dixon was the heart and soul of the football team. He was the emotional, mental and physical leader of Mississippi State football. He was one of the most popular players the university has seen. If you just mention his name to a Bulldog fan, you see a smile and hear, “I love that man.”
Anthony Dixon always had fun, fun, fun, and he is the man who gave Bulldogs something to be proud of when he was grindin’ for his state. No. 24 will be missed, and he will never be replaced.