The Daily OrangePitt's Dickerson finally finds niche as an H-back in final season
By Ryan Marfurt
Posted: 11/17/09, 10:27 PM EST Section: Sports
For Pittsburgh tight end Dorin Dickerson, it was never a question of his talent.
The senior came to Pittsburgh as the No. 4 wide receiver prospect out of the class of 2006 according to Scout.com, but initially struggled to find his place on the Panther depth chart.
Dickerson played wide receiver, running back, and even linebacker during his freshman and sophomore seasons. But after those two years, he only had 30 total offensive yards, 15 tackles and a touchdown to show for his five-star rating.
"It's been good and bad at the same time," Dickerson said. "I had to fight through a lot of adversity when I was younger and I was pretty immature. I didn't know how to do stuff. It was tough at first but I just kept working and trying different positions."
Dickerson spent all of last season as the backup tight end and it looked like he was primed for another marginal season this year.
Instead, the 6-foot-2, 230 pound utility man has turned himself into one of the most lethal red-zone threats in the country for the No. 8 Panthers. He currently is No. 1 in the nation for tight ends in touchdown receptions with 10, nine of which have come from within the 30-yard line.
The 10 touchdown receptions are also a new school record among tight ends, eclipsing Kris Wilson's nine touchdowns in 2003. On the year, Dickerson has 43 receptions for 496 yards.
The on-the-field production has generated attention for Dickerson, who has said it's his unique blend of size and speed that has allowed for him to find the red zone so easily this year.
"I love scoring touchdowns," Dickerson said. "In the red zone, it's all about match ups. When I'm matched up on a linebacker, it's hard for a linebacker or a corner to cover me. I'm usually lined up in the slot and it's just good match ups for me."
West Allegheny (Pa.) High School head coach Bob Palko said he remembers the freakish displays of athleticism that Dickerson would showcase during practice on almost daily basis. It's what helped him become one of the most highly-touted prospects in the state of Pennsylvania.
The senior came to Pittsburgh as the No. 4 wide receiver prospect out of the class of 2006 according to Scout.com, but initially struggled to find his place on the Panther depth chart.
Dickerson played wide receiver, running back, and even linebacker during his freshman and sophomore seasons. But after those two years, he only had 30 total offensive yards, 15 tackles and a touchdown to show for his five-star rating.
"It's been good and bad at the same time," Dickerson said. "I had to fight through a lot of adversity when I was younger and I was pretty immature. I didn't know how to do stuff. It was tough at first but I just kept working and trying different positions."
Dickerson spent all of last season as the backup tight end and it looked like he was primed for another marginal season this year.
Instead, the 6-foot-2, 230 pound utility man has turned himself into one of the most lethal red-zone threats in the country for the No. 8 Panthers. He currently is No. 1 in the nation for tight ends in touchdown receptions with 10, nine of which have come from within the 30-yard line.
The 10 touchdown receptions are also a new school record among tight ends, eclipsing Kris Wilson's nine touchdowns in 2003. On the year, Dickerson has 43 receptions for 496 yards.
The on-the-field production has generated attention for Dickerson, who has said it's his unique blend of size and speed that has allowed for him to find the red zone so easily this year.
"I love scoring touchdowns," Dickerson said. "In the red zone, it's all about match ups. When I'm matched up on a linebacker, it's hard for a linebacker or a corner to cover me. I'm usually lined up in the slot and it's just good match ups for me."
West Allegheny (Pa.) High School head coach Bob Palko said he remembers the freakish displays of athleticism that Dickerson would showcase during practice on almost daily basis. It's what helped him become one of the most highly-touted prospects in the state of Pennsylvania.
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