Xavier Nixon

Xavier A. Nixon (born September 17, 1990) is an American football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football for the University of Florida. Initially projected to be a third round pick, he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Washington Redskins following the NFL Draft.[1] He made his NFL debut with the Indianapolis Colts.

Xavier Nixon
Free agent
Position:Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1990-09-17) September 17, 1990
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:330 lb (150 kg)
Career information
High school:Jack Britt High School
College:Florida
Undrafted:2013
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • Freshman All-SEC (2009)
  • High School All-American (2008)
Career NFL statistics
Games played:8
Games started:2
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

Nixon was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He grew up in a military family in Fayetteville, where his mother and step father were stationed at Fort Bragg.[2] He attended Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville, where he was a two-way lineman for the Jack Britt Buccaneers high school football team. Leading Jack Britt to the Class 4-AA state championship game, Nixon was named first-team all-state offensive lineman following his senior season. He also compiled 50 tackles while playing on the defensive line. Nixon earned high school All-American honors from Parade magazine and USA Today, and was invited to the 2009 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Nixon was listed as the No. 3 offensive tackle prospect in the nation in 2009, behind D. J. Fluker and Mason Walters.[3] Nixon chose Florida over offers from Clemson, Notre Dame, and South Carolina.

College career

Nixon accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida, where he played for coach Urban Meyer and coach Will Muschamp's Florida Gators football teams from 2009 to 2012. As a true freshman in 2009, he started the season as backup at left tackle. In a game at South Carolina, he made his first career start at left tackle. Nixon was the first freshman to start at left tackle for the Gators since Reggie Green in 1992.[4] He was credited with helping to reduce the number of quarterback sacks by opposing teams.[5]

Professional career

Washington Redskins

Despite his once "sure-thing" status as a likely NFL draft prospect, he was not chosen during the 2013 NFL Draft.[6] The Washington Redskins signed him as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2013.[7] The Redskins waived him on August 31, 2013 for final roster cuts before the start of 2013 season,[8] he was signed to the team's practice squad the next day.[9]

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts signed him off the Washington Redskins' practice squad on September 24, 2013. On October 28, 2013, Nixon was waived by the Indianapolis Colts, only to be re-signed to the team's practice squad the next day.[10] He was signed back to the active roster on December 3. In Week 14 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Nixon had his NFL debut. After also playing in week 15, he made his first start at left guard in week 16 against the Kansas City Chiefs, replacing Hugh Thornton, who was inactive with neck injury.[11] Due to missing the team's flight, Nixon did not participate and was listed as inactive in the 2014 AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots.[12]

He was placed on waivers on February 11, 2015.[13]

Second stint with the Redskins

On February 13, 2015, the Washington Redskins were awarded Nixon through a waiver claim.[14] He was waived on May 8.[15]

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References
  1. Jones, Mike (May 7, 2013). "Tackle Xavier Nixon believes he fits perfectly into Redskins' system". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  2. Volin, Ben (November 20, 2009), "Florida freshman Xavier Nixon starting to make an impact while his military parents enjoy the ride", Palm Beach Post
  3. "Offensive tackles 2009", Rivals.com, January 15, 2009
  4. DiRocco, Michael (November 15, 2009), "Freshman offensive lineman Nixon makes his first start", Florida Times-Union
  5. DiRocco, Michael (December 2, 2009), "LT Nixon helping Florida cut down on sacks", Florida Times-Union
  6. "2013 NFL Draft - Xavier Nixon". CNN.
  7. Jones, Mike (April 28, 2013). "Redskins add collection of undrafted rookies". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
  8. Jones, Mike (August 31, 2013). "Redskins cuts: Tony Pashos, DeJon Gomes, Chase Minnifield among them". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  9. Tandler, Rich (September 1, 2013). "Redskins announce eight-member practice squad". RealRedskins.com. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  10. "Colts bring back TE Weslye Saunders, Xavier Nixon". Houston Chronicle. October 29, 2013.
  11. "Colts Gameday: Offensive line in flux with Sunday's inactives". Muncie Star Press. December 22, 2013.
  12. Wilkening, Mike (January 17, 2015). "Colts reserve tackle Xavier Nixon misses team flight, ruled out". NBCSports.com. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  13. Adams, Matt (February 11, 2015). "Colts release safety LaRon Landry, waive two other players". fox59.com. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  14. Wilkening, Mike (February 13, 2015). "Washington awarded Xavier Nixon on waivers". profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  15. Jones, Mike (May 8, 2015). "Redskins waive offensive tackle Xavier Nixon". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
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