"I have been starting since 10th grade," added Travis Dickson. "I
played mostly fullback and a little defensive end my sophomore year, and last
year I played mostly defensive end. In the big games, I would play both ways
and play some fullback and tight end."
Last year Travis racked up 80 tackles and 12 sacks while averaging over 6 yards
a carry which was good enough to put him on the Clarion Ledger All-State
team as a second team member.
"I think I got a little faster and stronger last year. I really matured
on the defensive side of the ball."
Speed is not a problem for the 1st Team All-Coast selection as he ran a 4.66
forty recently.
"That is probably one of my biggest strengths, speed and quickness. My quickness
helps me get around the linemen, and my speed lets me chase down the ball carrier
from sideline to sideline. And when I have the ball in my hands on offense, I
can get in the open field and separate."
Travis is also a star for Ocean Springs' baseball squad which has limited his
Spring football visits.
"I have not gone on any visits yet. I am having to work around my baseball
schedule. I am working on a couple of visits right now, but they will be a midweek
one day visit because I have games on the weekends."
Which schools have offered up to this point?
"Georgia, FSU, Ole Miss, MSU, Tennessee, and LSU. Duke and Missouri offered
me last week."
What is Travis looking for when he is trying to find the right school for him?
"The number one thing is I am looking somewhere that I can go to school and
enjoy it just as a regular student, not as an athlete. I want to be around my
friends and things like that, where I am comfortable."
Where do Travis' friends go to college?
"Besides Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, most of my friends are all up at Ole
Miss. A bunch of my good buddies from last year and the year before go up there."
What are the positives with Ole Miss outside of his friends?
"Ole Miss is just a great instate school. My grandfather played up there
and my sister went to Ole Miss. I have been talking to Coach Dickerson a lot lately.
We email each other back and forth every day. They are still not sure about the
position I would play up there, just like the rest of them, they are telling me
I can play where ever I want to play."
Travis has not been on the Ole Miss campus since 7th grade. when he watched his
sister graduate, so he is eager to get back up there and see what it is all about.
"I was supposed to go up there recently but my grandmother got sick, so we
had to stay at home, but I plan to head up there real soon. I want to get a good
look at the campus. It has been so long since I have been up there for a game,
like 7th grade, so I want to see what the game day atmosphere is like up there.
I just like what Coach Nutt has done. He turned it around in one year, and he
had some big wins, especially the win against Florida. He also brought in a great
recruiting class. All of my friends are up there, and the football program is
headed for big things, so there are a lot of positives with Ole Miss for me right
now."
Travis' brother, Richard Dickson, is a rising senior on the
LSU football team. He has been a three year starter at tight end for the Tigers.Will
that play a role in Travis' recruitment?
"That really does not push me to make my decision (for LSU). I got to spend
some time at LSU, but now that I am getting a couple of more looks. I am getting
to know the other schools too."
What stands out about LSU?
"I like the staff a good bit, and I like the atmosphere of Baton Rouge.
They have a great game day atmosphere."
Which position does LSU want Travis to play?
"They like me at H-Back."
Who else is coming after Dickson hard?
"I have been talking to Coach Fisher at Florida State and Coach Searels
from Georgia a lot."
What is Coach Fisher saying?
"We have been talking about my position. They said I can play on either
side of the ball. I could put my hand down at end, or I could play TE or FB
on offense."
What are FSU's positives?
"The number of players they put in the NFL and the history of Bobby Bowden
impresses me the most about FSU."
Does the recent NCAA sanctions against FSU effect his recruitment?
"We have not really talked about it, but it really is not going to have
too much of an impact on my decision."
What about Coach Searels at Georgia?
"He is talking about me playing some H-Back. We also talk about my mechanics
and all of that good stuff."
What impresses Travis about the Dawgs?
"They had a good run last year. There are a lot of things about Georgia I
want to check out. I have heard a lot about the landscape of their campus and
a whole lot about their facilities. I just want to get up there and see it for
myself."
Where all does Travis plan to visit this spring and summer?
"I am not sure if I am going to make it to any football camps. Baseball season
goes into the summer because of our summer league, but the schedule is more flexible.
I am going to check out Ole Miss and MSU, and I might run in a visit to LSU for
a day. I also want to go check out Georgia, FSU, Auburn, and Alabama."
Travis' father played for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
"They have a new staff, and I want to see how that is going to pull through.
I feel pretty good about the direction that Coach Mullen is taking that program
though. My father also played for MSU, and I grew up in Texas being the only kid
that even knew who MSU was."
What about Auburn?
"I went with my brother on his visit to Auburn when he was being recruited
by them out of high school. I was in middle school, but I really liked the campus.
I want to meet Coach Chizik and get to know the new staff."
And Alabama?
"Coach Saban did a great job last year at Alabama. I went to the Alabama/Ole
Miss game, and I really liked the campus. I like their staff and the atmosphere
is really good for game day. That left a small impression being on the field."
Travis reports a 3.8 GPA / 21 ACT.
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