Coming off a 12-1 season last year, you would assume that Steubenville’s quarterback Dwight Macon (6-1, 192, 4.50) had a successful year as the signal caller for the Big Red. You would be right. Coming off a season where he threw for 1,600 yards and racked up another 1,200 yards on the ground, Macon, a rising junior in the 2010 class, is feeling good as he enters the recruiting world.
“I’ve had a few letters coming in,” said Macon. “I’ve got stuff from Illinois, Michigan State and letters from Florida State. Not a lot yet. I’m still a little young so they’re not really coming at me hard yet.”
That gives a little hint about what Macon thinks recruiting will be like for him over the next 20 months until national signing day.
“It’s still really early,” the dual threat quarterback said. “I’m not even sure about the programs yet. I don’t know what I want to do.
Moving from Cleveland at age 6, Macon and his family have been in Steubenville ever since. Those lifelong Ohio roots could mean something when it comes time for Macon to commit to a school.
“I grew up in Ohio,” said Macon, who threw for 17 touchdowns against just 4 interceptions last season. “I would love to hear from Ohio State. I’d like to talk to WVU and Florida, too. Those are the three schools that I would like to go to.”
Because of his athleticism and size, Macon could be recruited as an athlete or a quarterback. Macon talked a little about what he brings to the table as an athlete.
“I bring leadership, hard work, determination and love for the game,” said Macon. “I also bring a little razzle-dazzle and big plays. I feel like I have a pretty good arm. Everything that a quarterback is supposed to do; I try to bring that to the field. It doesn’t matter what I’m recruited as to get to the next level. If I’m recruited as a quarterback, that would be great. I just want to get to college and play. If they want me to play quarterback, I’ll play quarterback. I’ll do anything they throw at me.”
As for the size issue, Macon is not too worried about that. He believes that other things are more important than size.
“It’s not all about how big you are,” said Macon, who completed 62 percent of his passes in 2007. “It’s about how tough you are. I think I’ve played with people that are bigger than me. I’ve been hit hard. I can take a hit. I’ll take it and bounce right back up to the huddle. So I don’t really care if they say that.”
If he’s recruited as a quarterback, Macon thinks he will be ready. That is because he is putting in the extra time now to improve his skills. Part of that was attendance at the Ohio State camp in June.
“I’m working on my technique,” Macon said. “I’m working on my footwork and when to throw the ball and when not to. I’m working on my film study as well. At the Ohio State camp, I did alright. The coaches moved me up with the senior group.”
Not liking to compare his game to others, when pressed, Macon said he played like a Heisman hopeful from last season, Oregon’s Dennis Dixon.
Macon reports a 3.2 grade point average.
