He was named the MVP of the Oil Bowl, which matches high school senior All-stars from the states of Texas and Oklahoma.
In 1987, he transferred to the University of Houston to play under new head coach Jack Pardee, who converted him into a wide receiver.
In 1988, the football team was employing the run and shoot offense with Andre Ware at quarterback and Jason Phillips as the main wide receiver.
Dixon was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Detroit Lions after the 1989 NFL draft, who were using the run and shoot offense.
In the 10th game against the Phoenix Cardinals, he set a franchise rookie record with 203 receiving yards (the fifth highest in club history), including a 75-yard touchdown reception, in the same contest that Troy Aikman set a then-NFL rookie record with 379 passing yards.
In 1990, he began the season at wide receiver, before being switched to running back and changing his jersey number to 21.
On October 21, he made his debut at backup running back behind rookie Emmitt Smith against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.