D'Cota Dixon, the veteran in the Badgers' secondary, does all he can while getting healthy

MADISON – After his teammates finished a recent practice inside Camp Randall Stadium, Wisconsin safety D’Cota Dixon ventured onto to the field to rekindle some memories.

Dixon hadn’t practiced since December. He had surgery on his right shoulder about 1½ weeks after UW’s 34-24 victory over Miami in the Orange Bowl and has been held out of spring workouts while recovering.

Dixon worked that day with fellow safety Scott Nelson, his best friend on the team, on accelerating out of his backpedal.

The movement didn’t feel natural, and the meticulous Dixon was peeved.

“It was nasty,” he said Thursday after UW’s penultimate practice of the spring. “I was not happy. I was irritated.”

Dixon’s irritation stems from knowing he is preparing for his final college season and he doesn’t want a repeat of 2017, when an in jury to his right hamstring forced Dixon to miss two games and parts of three others. 

“I’m just trying to get back into the swing of things,” said Dixon, who continues to work on strengthening his hamstrings. “Obviously, I wish I could be further along than I am. 

“It’s just trying to get myself into the best spot I could possibly start the season.”

Dixon sat out the Illinois game, UW’s eighth of the season, played sparingly the next week at Indiana, was unable to go the next week against Iowa and then saw part-time duty against Michigan and Minnesota. 

“It was very frustrating,” said Dixon, adding he believes he injured the shoulder against Michigan. 

UW last season had an experienced secondary. Then-senior Joe Ferguson filled in for Dixon and worked alongside senior Natrell Jamerson. UW had two experienced cornerbacks in Derrick Tindal and Nick Nelson.

In 2018, UW will have Dixon at one safety spot and three new starters around him. 

Dixon has started 23 games and played in 42 at UW. He understands he has to be a leader on the field, in the video room and in the locker room. 

“This is their team,” Dixon said. “This is my last year. Obviously, I’ve contributed. But the show goes on. There will be somebody else in my jersey when I’m done. 

“The biggest thing is trying to let these guys know it is (their) team, taking more ownership. Being a professional about how you handle your business – in the classroom, rehab, treatment. 

“None of us are boys. We’re young, but we’re not boys. That is the standard I try to hold.”

Dixon’s routine during this spring has been tedious. He lifts weights – he remains limited because of the shoulder surgery – and/or does rehab work and then watches the remainder of practice from the sideline. 

“He does an amazing job being a vocal leader and sharing his experience,” defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard said.

Dixon can be seen working with the less experienced defensive backs every day, both during and after practice. 

“The biggest thing is you try to be an example,” he said. “But in a situation like this, words can only do so much. Especially when you’ve got a bunch of guys who are hungry. And I know that because I’ve been there as well. 

“But there has to be a point where guys acknowledge that the talking has to stop. So much talking doesn’t really get us better. You have to internalize what you’re hearing and what you’re doing and start doing it at some point.

“It is trying to get guys to see that. Not really trying to preach at them, necessarily, because this is a smart group.”

Dixon is set to graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation psychology. He plans to begin work on his master’s in counseling psychology in the fall. 

In addition to staying the course academically, Dixon knows he must take care of his body.

“My biggest focus is trying to get more rest, get more sleep so my body can recover and heal better,” he said. 

When was the last time he felt completely healthy?

“The last time I felt 100%?” he responded. “Wow…That’s funny. Who is 100% nowadays, especially in this game? It might have been freshman year in high school.”