UNC DBs Marcus Allen, Thaddeus Dixon Audition at NFL Combine

Both of UNC's starting cornerbacks from last season participated in this year's NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Former North Carolina cornerbacks Marcus Allen and Thaddeus Dixon took the field at the NFL Combine on Friday to showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts. Allen, a four-year letterman who started 39 games for the Tar Heels, and Dixon, a graduate transfer who started 7 games in his lone season at UNC, are both hoping to hear their names called during the 2026 NFL Draft in April.

Why it matters

The NFL Combine is a crucial event for college players looking to improve their draft stock and impress professional teams. Allen and Dixon's participation demonstrates the talent coming out of the North Carolina football program, which has produced several NFL-caliber defensive backs in recent years.

The details

At the Combine, Dixon measured in at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, recording a 39.5-inch vertical jump (7th among cornerbacks) and a 10-foot-5 broad jump (11th). Allen, who is 6-foot-2 and 187 pounds, posted a 39-inch vertical (8th) and a 10-foot-3 broad jump (16th), while also running a 4.50-second 40-yard dash (16th). Both players are projected as mid-to-late round draft picks or potential undrafted free agents.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

The players

Marcus Allen

A four-year letterman at North Carolina who started 39 games for the Tar Heels, Allen is projected as a Day 3 pick or undrafted free agent in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Thaddeus Dixon

A graduate transfer from Washington who started 7 games for North Carolina in 2025, Dixon is projected as a mid-to-late round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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What they’re saying

“He runs the program like an NFL team. He treats us as men, not really as college athletes, but grown men. He gives us freedom to do what we need to do and take care of our business... really just being a professional each and every day, the way he goes about his days, afternoon practices and meetings, really sets us up to be in position for stuff like this.”

— Thaddeus Dixon (on3.com)

“It was less of a distraction and more of a great opportunity. His knowledge, his experience, the staff he brought in, everybody was so knowledgeable of the game, so having the opportunity to learn from him and better myself physically and technique wise was a blessing.”

— Marcus Allen (on3.com)

The takeaway

The participation of Allen and Dixon at the NFL Combine showcases the talent coming out of the North Carolina football program, which has produced several NFL-caliber defensive backs in recent years. Their performances will be closely watched as they look to improve their draft stock ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.