Marcus Dixon enrolls at Hampton

This is good news. But I thought for sure he'd take the full ride to Morehouse... Marcus Dixon enrolls at Hampton University Teen whose sentence was overturned playing football at Va. school By NORMAN AREY Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 08/17/04 ROME - Marcus Dixon enrolled at Hampton University on Friday and attended his first football practice the same day. Dixon, who spent 15 months in prison after being convicted of aggravated child molestation and statutory **** before having his sentence overturned by the Georgia Supreme Court, received a full athletic scholarship to play football at the Virginia school. "A lot of people down in the Atlanta area called me about him, said he was a good kid," said Hampton head coach Joe Taylor. "Most people know we have a lot of discipline up here." Taylor, who's been coaching for more than 30 years, says everything seems to be working out. "We feel comfortable," he said about the publicity that's sure to follow Dixon. "We felt like he was a young man who needed a second chance. "This is a great school, we've got a Gospel choir, a Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter, we're all about discipline," he said. Dixon had a full scholarship to Vanderbilt before his arrest and subsequent conviction in February of 2003. Vanderbilt rescinded its offer due to Dixon's legal problems. Dixon's adoptive parents, Peri and Ken Jones, said the former Pepperell student's decision to go to Hampton was a last-minute thing. Peri Jones said she felt it was important for Marcus to get out of Georgia and she's happy with his choice. "Georgia and Tennessee were the hot spots, Tennessee because of Vanderbilt, and we knew that people can be cruel," she said. "I think Hampton is the right place. I had a good feeling about his going there." Dixon, who played linebacker, tight end and defensive end in high school, is working out at defensive tackle, according to Taylor.