Alabama 2024 commit Sterling Dixon is the first to admit he was anxious to get back on the football field this fall.

The Mobile Christian defensive standout missed most of his sophomore season with a labrum injury.

“I definitely had a chip on my shoulder,” the 6-foot-3, 211-pound Dixon said.

Opponents definitely felt Dixon’s wrath.

He set several single-season Mobile Christian school records as a junior, finishing with 172 tackles and 18 sacks. He also had 39 tackles for a loss.

Last week, he was named Class 3A Lineman of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

“This season was definitely crazy,” he told AL.com at the annual ASWA Mr. Football banquet. “With the forfeits, we started out the season 0-7, and we still had a goal to go win state. Everyone got together and we got to the fourth round. We fell short, but next year we are definitely going to win.”

Mobile Christian forfeited four wins early in the season and then lost back-to-back overtime games to Pensacola Catholic and Hillcrest-Evergreen.

However, the Leopards won their final three regular season games to qualify for the playoffs and then won three straight postseason games before losing to eventual 3A champ St. James 35-7 in the semifinals. They finished 6-8 overall.

Still, it turned out to be a rewarding year for Dixon.

“It was so frustrating after my injury,” he said. “I just wanted to boost my teammates up and try to get ready to go as best I could.”

Dixon said he went nearly 11 months without much action while recovering from labrum surgery.

“I worked super hard when I got released,” he said. “I was doing like three workouts a day last summer. I was working out each and every day in the weight room, doing linebacker work and also doing defensive film work. It was crazy, but it ultimately paid off.”

Dixon committed to Alabama on Dec. 1 over SEC West foes Auburn and LSU. He’s projected as an EDGE for Nick Saban and company.

“Today’s elite linebacker prospects aren’t just physical in the tackle box, they have high end coverage skills,” said Jimmy Stein, an On3 team expert for BamaInsider. “Sterling was a DB early in his time at Mobile Christian. It has all served to make him a three-down player. He can play the run, he can drop in coverage, he can rush the passer. He also has fantastic intangibles. He’s always reminded me a lot of former Mobile Christian star Deontae Lawson for all these same reasons. He should do well like Lawson has.”

Lawson also signed with Alabama and is expected to be a key piece of the Crimson Tide’s defense next fall.

Dixon is currently listed as the No. 13 junior recruit in the state, according to the 247 composite rankings. He joins Clay-Chalkville WR/DB Jaylen Mbakwe and Foley WR Perry Thompson as 2024 in-state Alabama commits.

“Roll Tide,” Dixon said. “I’m 110 percent committed. I’m just ready to recruit.”

Dixon said he feels like he can play early at Alabama and eventually get to pros from Tuscaloosa.

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Mr Football & Player of the year awards