Riley Dixon Drafted by Denver Broncos

CHICAGO – Syracuse punter Riley Dixon was selected with the seventh pick in the final round (No. 228 overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft by the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos on Saturday, April 30.

Dixon is the second Orange punter ever to be drafted. He joins Pat O'Neill in that exclusive club. O'Neill was taken in the fifth round of the 1994 draft by the New England Patriots.

"I've put in a lot of work and put it in God's hands and he's been pretty good to me so far," Dixon said on a conference call after he was picked. "I couldn't be happier."

Dixon began his Syracuse career as a walk-on in 2011 and earned a scholarship at the conclusion of the 2013 season. A three-year starter, Dixon received All-Atlantic Coast Conference Honorable Mention laurels in 2014 and became the first player in school history to be named to the All-ACC First Team as a senior in 2015.

The Blossvale, N.Y. native finished his Orange career tied for third with Brendan Carney on the program's all-time record list for the highest punting average (42.6). Dixon also ranks fifth in team history for the most punting yards (9,291) and number of punts (218). In 2013 against Clemson, he set the school record with a 75-yard boot.

Dixon was named one of the 10 semifinalists for the 2015 Ray Guy Award, presented to the nation's top punter. He averaged 43.7 yards per kick in his senior campaign and placed 43 percent (28-65) of his punts inside the 20-yard line with only five touchbacks. In addition, 18 of Dixon's punts traveled more than 50 yards, including a long of 64 yards against Rhode Island.

Dixon is expected to compete with veteran Britton Colquitt for the starting punting job in Broncos camp.

"I'm just looking forward to getting in and competing," Dixon said. "It will be nice to have someone to compete with, but my main focus right now is focusing on the task at hand and doing my best to help the team."

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