WRAL Sports Fan

College Football

Nixon Picks Florida

Jan 3, 2009

Flanked by his parents, both soldiers, at the U. S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, offensive lineman Xavier Nixon told a national television audience he has committed to Florida. The Jack Britt star, believed to be the most recruited football player from talent rich Cumberland County in the last three decades, had narrowed his choices to Miami, LSU, and Florida.

The 6'6 270 pound Nixon was rated the top offensive lineman in the country by most recruiting services. He played in a high school program that employed the spread offense. Nixon now joins a college program that also runs the spread offense.

Both North Carolina and NC State recruited Nixon and the in-state schools were among his top ten. But when it came time for the long-anticipated announcement at the U. S. Army All-American bowl, Nixon placed only hats from the three out of state schools on the table in front of him. Nixon picked up the Miami hat first, but the Florida hat was the one he placed on his head.

Nixon had said as early as last spring he planned to announce his college decision at this bowl. The military setting seemed fitting for Nixon's announcement. His father, CSM Kenneth Nixon, just returned from a second tour of duty in Afghanistan.