Published: 09:43 AM, Wed Sep 30, 2009
Former Jack Britt star Xavier Nixon making impact at No. 1 Florida
By Sammy Batten
Staff writer
Most freshmen joining a program that's won two of the past three national championships and is preseason No. 1 might consider redshirting.
But Jack Britt High alum Xavier Nixon isn't your normal freshman.
That's why Nixon has seen action at offensive tackle in three of the University of Florida's four games - including last Saturday's Southeastern Conference win over Kentucky.
"The coaches here told me during recruiting I would be given a chance to play as a freshman,'' Nixon said. "They've been true to their word.''
Nixon became one of the most decorated players in Cumberland County history as a senior last year. He was selected the state's player of the year - a rare honor for an offensive lineman - played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and was ranked among the best prospects nationally at his position.
But after helping the Buccaneers reach the state 4-AA championship game, Nixon joined the school's basketball team. By the end of the season, the 6-foot-6 Nixon had dropped to 245 pounds.
That's not exactly the kind of girth needed to move around 300-plus pound defensive linemen in the SEC.
"I'll be honest, I really thought he'd redshirt,'' Jack Britt coach Richard Bailey said. "You're talking about going to the No. 1 team in the nation, and at the time he's a 245- and 250-pound offensive lineman.
"But from February to the end of the school year he was in the weight room or near the refrigerator in my office eating. They gave him a (diet) plan and he worked the plan.''
By the time Nixon arrived in Gainesville for preseason practice, his weight had climbed to almost 300 pounds. He weighed in at 304 pounds last week.
Nixon even surprised Florida coach Urban Meyer with his physical development.
"He has developed the right way,'' Meyer said during preseason drills. "When I went and watched him play basketball (in high school), you could see first of all he had the athleticism. But we didn't anticipate he would be 300 pounds.''
Easy fit on offense
Nixon adapted easily to Florida's offense, which is a no-huddle, spread style similar to what Bailey runs at Jack Britt. The combination of athleticism, knowledge and size quickly earned Nixon a backup spot on the depth chart behind another North Carolina player, junior Carl Johnson from Durham.
Florida's season opener against Charleston Southern was Nixon's college debut. He was part of an offensive line featuring five freshmen that drove the Gators to their first touchdown in the second half.
Nixon's first college play is the only time he's felt like a freshman.
"On that first play I had a little case of the jitters,'' Nixon said. "We ran a running play where I was supposed to block the defensive end. But he came up under me. I just missed him and fell on my face on national television and 90,000 people in the stadium watching me.
"But it was all good after I got that first case of the jitters out of the way.''
Time with Tebow
Playing for the nation's No. 1-ranked team has exposed Nixon to many great players. But inevitably when anyone mentions the Gators, the name of quarterback Tim Tebow comes up.
The Heisman Trophy winner lives up to his image as a competitor and leader, according to Nixon.
"He's a genuine good guy,'' Nixon said. "He is so dedicated to this program. Every time I come up to the stadium I see him in the training room or looking at film. He's always doing something to help this team out. He's a great leader and a great person to be around.''
As close as he's become to his new teammates, Nixon still misses his old friends at Jack Britt.
"Tell them I love them, I love Coach Bailey and to have a great season,'' Nixon said. "I miss everybody back there.''
Staff writer Sammy Batten can be reached at battens@fayobserver.com or 486-3534.