He’s played quarterback, running back, and wide receiver for Mission Bay High School, putting up record-breaking statistics. Now, Dillon Baxter is getting the hardware to show for it.
Baxter was named Mr. Football for the state of California on Friday, an honor that goes to the state’s top high school player. By the end of the night, that recognition was extended to the entire nation.
At the U.S. Army All-American banquet Friday night, he was named National Player of the Year. No small feat considering he was picked from among 100 other All-Americans who were chosen from around the country as the nation’s best players.
"That's an amazing group of players,'' Baxter told Rivals.com. "I was stunned when they called my name."
A humble statement, but there should be no reason for any surprise. The 6 foot, 205-pound senior will surely go down as one of the greatest California High School football players ever.
If his records stand, maybe the greatest.
This year, in just 13 games, he accounted for an astounding 76 touchdowns. 50 were throwing, and 26 rushing. The previous record of combined throwing and rushing was 64.
He also broke Jimmy Clausen’s state record for career points scored with 919. By the end of the 2009 season, Baxter had racked up 5,115 total yards. Rushing for 2,974, passing for 1,713, receiving 28, and 300 on returns.
And to top it all off, he led Mission Bay High School to the Division IV Championship.
Today, the do-it-all star was given the award on national television during the U.S. Army All-American game. He did not forget his roots in San Diego.
After saying what winning the award meant to him, he finished by saying “I told you I would represent for ‘Diego’.”
Represent, he has.
Baxter is the first player from San Diego to win the award in its ten-year history. He joins the likes of Adrian Peterson, Jimmy Clausen, and Terrell Pryor as a recipient of high school football’s top award.
Baxter had been committed to play at USC for some time, however with Pete Carroll’s likely departure, 619 Sports reports he may have changed his mind.
