Villanova Target Ja’Zir Dickerson Prioritizes Film Study, Good Habits

Villanova offered 2027 defensive back prospect Ja’Zir “Jai” Dickerson on May 14, one of six offers for the rising senior in the past three weeks. The 6-foot-2, 180 pound rising senior won conference player of the year awards in both football and basketball this past season, and his athletic ability has a flurry of college coaches reaching out.

“It’s been pretty crazy. A lot of coaches, going here and there, some popping in,” Dickerson said of the recent interest. “Some giving me offers, some working me out, some reaching out later in the week after seeing me workout, telling me how impressed they are. So it’s been pretty crazy.”

Dickerson accumulated 1,900 all-purpose yards as a junior, focusing on the offensive side of the ball in order to put himself on the map. Villanova thinks he fits best at defensive back, however, and Dickerson said that he’s communicating with both cornerbacks coach Dustin Johnson and head coach Mark Ferrante.

“I was pretty focused on offense last year, trying to get my name out there. Coming from a small school like [Colonel Richardson], you really don’t get that much exposure,” Dickerson said. “So just trying to get my name out there, showing people that I am an all-around athlete and I can really do it all.”

Building Good Habits

Dickerson said that playing basketball in the offseason helps him develop his hand-eye coordination, but focused more on the way that it teaches him good habits. He also credited his support system and his faith for his ability as a two-way player.

“In the offseason for football, some people tend to sit on their behinds all day and not put in the work. Basketball does a good job of keeping me in shape, keeping me conditioned, and keeping my hand-eye coordination sharp,” Dickerson said. “Praying, going into my workouts, getting my recovery that I need and just training to be the best, to excel at what I do.”

When asked about his biggest strengths on the gridiron, Dickerson talked about his eye for the game. He said he places a heavy emphasis on watching film and seeks out challenging situations, an ‘iron sharpens iron’ mentality that helps him improve.

“I think I’m a very smart athlete, I can read the quarterback’s eyes so I pretty much know when he’s gonna look off, I study a lot of game film, so I pretty much just do my homework,” Dickerson said. “I love the competition, I love being put in predicaments where it’s hard to get the outcome I want. I’m looking to always make changes to my game, I’m looking to be critiqued, I’m looking to be coached hard, and I think that’s something that sets me aside from other athletes.”

Given his experience on offense, Dickerson said he’s also a playmaker who can read the blocks in front of him and get to the end zone — with 26 touchdowns to his name as a junior, he’s an immediate pick-six threat if he can get his hands on the ball.

High Ceiling Recruit

Dickerson is also starting to get the attention of Power Four programs like Virginia and Duke. In this NIL-driven era of college football, those programs have an immediate advantage in recruiting. Dickerson said that the attention Villanova’s coaching staff gives him helps level the playing field.

“Just keeping in touch. They told me when I went to a spring practice that I wouldn’t get an offer that day, but they stayed in touch. Contacting me, been making sure I’m good, making sure me and my family are good,” Dickerson said.

“They just did a pretty good job communicating. Coach Ferrante ended up coming out and offering me, but just pretty good with the whole recruitment process… Coach Ferrante just does a great job, showing the standard he’s set for his team. Him being him, Coach D.J. [cornerbacks coach Dustin Johnson] being Coach D.J., and [Recruiting coordinator and safeties] Coach [David] Riede being Coach Riede.”

Dickerson added that the culture at Villanova leapt off the page, leaving a strong first impression.

“The culture there, the environment there. I got a pretty good vibe at the spring practice, taking my visit there. Just a pretty good vibe all around, a beautiful campus,” Dickerson said. “The coaches, whenever I had questions or my family had questions, they answered them to the best of their ability. If they couldn’t answer, they’d relay it to another coach who could answer it.”