Bethel Park native signs with Steelers
Jake Dixon was signed as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
By Eleanor Bailey/Almanac Sports Editor/ebailey@thealmanac.net
.Eleanor Bailey/the almanac
Jake Dixon scores a kill during semifinal action against North Allegheny.
By Eleanor Bailey/Staff
Jake Dixon goes up to the basket for a hoop. Dixon fired in 21 points during Bethel Park’s 81-76 win against Peters Township. He supplied 14 markers in a 65-43 win against Upper St. Clair. The wins enabled the Hawks to move into a three-way tie for third-place in Section 4-AAAA with the Indians and the Panthers.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mt. Lebanon defender Joey Stabile slams Jake Dixon to the ground for a tackle after the Bethel Park tight end made a reception. The Blue Devils defeated the Hawks, 30-22.
Jake Dixon • Bethel Park senior • Volleyball, basketball, football • Lewis University recruit • 1,000 kills in career • All-conference, all-section • 4.2 GPA • Wants to be an FBI agent
When Jake Dixon changes his mind, positive things happen.
An all-state volleyball player out of Bethel Park High, he transferred from Lewis University, where he was part of a Division I recruiting class ranked No. 2 nationally, to Duquesne University in 2017 to pursue his passion in football.
An all-conference tight end scholastically, he adapted again, becoming an All-America lineman for the Dukes. He is capable of playing tackle or guard, even center.
Because of that versatility, he is now a candidate to become an NFL pro. Dixon signed a free-agent contract on April 30 with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“Things have really come full circle,” Dixon said. “Even before I was a senior deciding on volleyball, it had been my dream, like every other kid’s, to play in the NFL.
“People have asked what team I’d pick to play for. Of course it would be the Steelers because I have lived here my whole life and the organization has a reputation for being one of the best from top to bottom. Now that I have the opportunity to put that helmet on, it’s unbelievable.”
Incredulous indeed is Dixon’s circuitous path to the pros.
In high school, he was a three-sport standout, excelling also in basketball. In addition to Lewis, he had volleyball offers from Stanford and Penn State. With a 4.31 GPA, he also had Ivy League requests to play football. Davidson and Bucknell also courted him.
“In my 25 years, I have seen a lot of players get inducted into our hall and come through our program,” said former BP football coach Jeff Metheny, “but Jake has to be the best athlete that I have coached.”
Metheny recalled Dixon’s three monster dunks in a basketball game against McKeesport as well as his three consecutive Player of the Year recognitions in volleyball and all-league acclaim in football.
Dixon also was the 2016 Almanac Athlete of the Year as well as four-time Almanac volleyball MVP.
“He was a tremendous athlete that grew into a hard worker,” Metheny said. “To have transformed from a tight end into an offensive tackle wasn’t an easy thing to do. It’s a remarkable feat and did wonders for the opportunity that he has now.”
After moving from tight end to tackle at the end of the 2020-21 spring season, Dixon blossomed into a 6-6, 290-pound tackle for the Dukes.
He appeared in a school-record 50 career games and was a two-time, first-team All-Northeast Conference offensive lineman. A two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, he was the Lineman MVP of the FCS Bowl held in Daytona Beach, Fla.
“If you told me in high school that I had a shot at the NFL, I would have said that you were crazy. Even when I was playing tight end I did not think I had a shot at the next level,” Dixon said.
“When I moved to tackle, that’s when I saw an avenue for the dream to become a reality. As those two seasons rolled on and coaches started to talk to people in the league, that’s when I thought, On my gosh, this is probably going to happen. I’m going to get a shot.”
“I’ve got my foot in the door,” Dixon continued. “Now, I have to prove myself. It’s an excellent feeling and I’m flying high knowing I signed with the Steelers but it’s just a door. The work’s just starting.”
Currently, Dixon is putting the extra time in at Grossetti Performance located in New Castle. In addition to weight lifting and conditioning, Dixon focuses on position specific drills and technique.
Dixon never shied away from training says Metheny.
“Obviously, he has talent but it only takes you so far. Jake has grown into a hard worker. He’s shown great development, especially with the position change. He knows what it takes to develop at that level. He studies hard and watches a lot of film.”
According to Dixon, that’s imperative for him making the squad in the fall.
“Just keep learning,” he said. “I’m going to take all the coaching I receive and implement it into my game. I plan to be a sponge and soak everything in.”
Dixon added his versatility is also a plus that can benefit the Steelers, who have needs to fill on the offensive line.
“Technique is the same,” he said of playing tackle or guard. “It’s still trying to move a guy from point A to point B.”
The objective is to make the roster and Metheny has no doubt Dixon has the tools to succeed.
“He has a good chance. The Steelers have a need and Jake is so athletic and so intelligent. Just that aspect, that he is a smart kid, helps him out.
“Jake deserves a lot of credit because when he saw a need he made the most of it. It’s taken a lot of labor and grooming for him to get to this point. It’s nice to see his hard work paying off. He deserves it.”
While at Duquesne, Dixon earned a degree in accounting. He has passed his CPA exam. Additionally, he interned at Price-Waterhouse and Schneider Downs, which offered him a position that he has had to put on hold.
“They understand that I am chasing the dream,” Dixon said.
“I don’t want to look that far ahead. I’m taking it day by day, putting my head down and working hard because this is it. I gotta go right now. This is my chance. It’s a great opportunity and to play for the Steelers is truly exciting.”
Jake Dixon admittedly owes much of his athletic ability and success to his mother, Julie. She played volleyball at Duquesne University.
His dad, Dennis, played basketball and ran track at Seton LaSalle High School.
His stepdad, Brian Blanc, was perhaps his first volleyball coach. He played basketball at Bethel Park, under Red Ryan and during the Armen Gilliam era. He later played at Daemen College in Buffalo.
Dixon’s younger brother, Max Blanc, quarterbacked the BP football squad. He is also a standout javelin thrower on the track and field team. He will play football at Youngstown State University next fall.
“I always remember being in a gym somewhere, hitting a ball against the wall, even before I was old enough to play,” Dixon said. “My mom was probably my biggest supporter. She believed in me.”
In addition to his family, Dixon said that his high school football coach, Jeff Metheny, impacted his life.
“To this day, he is one of the biggest influences on me. Whether it was football or in life, he taught me how to grow up and work hard. I carried those lessons to Duquesne and I will carry them on going forward.”
A work ethic is not the only thing instilled in Dixon.
“The mantra I go by today is work hard and be nice. Two of the biggest things people judge you on are how hard you work and how you interact with people. You should be nice to people because how you act affects their lives as much as your own.”