5  Justin Dixon
	Class: Junior Hometown: Smithfield High School: Smithfield-Selma Height / Weight: 6-1 / 264 Position: Defensive End Experience: 2L

Career Statistics

A much-publicized and highly-decorated athletic defensive standout who was in the early stages of a high-impact rookie campaign before suffering a season-ending left knee injury ... Was also kept out of 2011 spring drills as a precaution to ensure complete recovery is made prior to fall camp ... Opened career as a linebacker but made the transition to end in ECU's former 4-3 scheme ... Is now expected to serve as a starter at outside linebacker in the Pirates' new 3-4 alignment ... Enrolled at East Carolina in the fall of 2009, but was not on the roster and did not participate during spring practice period because of eligibility requirements ... Originally signed a national letter-of-intent with North Carolina Feb. 4, 2009 but never enrolled in classes at Chapel Hill ... A physically imposing and gifted performer who also will provide leadership to a young front seven.

2011 Game-by-Game Statistics

2010 Game-by-Game Statistics
2010: An impact player on the defensive line whose season was limited to first four games of the year due to left knee injury ... Booked 10 tackles (five solo) before leaving the North Carolina contest due to injury ... Started fall camp as a linebacker but made the transition forward to defensive end ... Prior to injury, was tied for team lead with two quarterback hurries and topped squad with 5.5 tackles for lost yardage (-39 yards) and 3.0 sacks (-27 yards) ... Stood seventh in Conference USA, and 42nd at the FBS level, in sacks and eighth in tackles for loss before being shelved for the season ... Lone Pirate who booked at least one TFL in the first four games of the season ... During ECU debut versus Tulsa, tallied season-best five stops with two tackles for lost yardage (-14 yards) and one sack (nine yards) ... During a span of five Golden Hurricane plays from the end of the first quarter to the start of the second, collected a sack, a solo tackle and an assist ... Lone tackle at Virginia Tech was a five-yard sack of Tyrod Taylor in the third quarter ... In final game of the year, sacked T.J. Yates for a 13-yard loss in the second quarter ... Knocked ball away from Memphis quarterback Ryan Williams in the fourth quarter for first career forced fumble ... Also against the Tigers, contributed 1.5 TFL (seven yards) and three tackles ... Five-of- 10 stops came on rushing plays.

2009: Sat out true freshman season in compliance with NCAA eligibility standards.

High School: SuperPrep All-America choice for coach Anthony Barbour at Smithfield-Selma High School ... Rated as the No. 6 player in North Carolina by Rivals.com and the No. 9 player in North Carolina by SuperPrep ... Also considered one of the top 25 players in North Carolina by The Charlotte Observer ... Member of the Rivals 250 and was ranked as the No. 9 inside linebacker nationally Rivals.com ... Member of PrepStar's High School All-America Team and recruiting analyst Tom Lemming's All-America team ... Earned a national No. 46 billing (linebacker) by ESPN.com ... In addition to starring role as a linebacker, also experienced action as a running back, defensive end and defensive tackle during prep career ... Rushed for 767 yards and nine touchdowns on 160 carries as a senior, helping Smithfield-Selma advance to the first round of the state playoffs ... Defensively, was credited with 160 tackles and one interception as a junior ... Also added 1,589 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in 2007 as a junior.

Personal: Full name is Earnest Justin Dixon ... Born November 19, 1989 ... Son of Sheila and Ernest Dixon ... A communications major.