There was the 96-yard touchdown catch on a flea-flicker in a win over Nebraska in 2019.
He had a two-touchdown game in a narrow loss to Southern California later that season. In 2018, he had career highs of 13 catches and 198 yards and two touchdowns against Oregon State.
KD Nixon had a lot of good moments at Folsom Field during his four seasons with the Colorado Buffaloes, but when he returns on Saturday with the enemy for the first time, he insists there won’t be any sentimental feelings.
“Nah. I’m not going to lie to you, that’s in the past,” said Nixon, a senior receiver for USC, which battle the Buffs on Saturday at Folsom Field. “I have no feelings, I have no emotion. This is straight business. As soon as I walk off that field, I’m shaking everybody’s hand, I’m cool with everybody.
“But, it’s a business, man. You can’t get attached to it.”
Nixon, who came to CU in 2017 from DeSoto (Texas) High School, caught 99 passes for 1,221 yards during his time with the Buffs, ranking 19th in school history in both categories.
The 2020 season was supposed to be his last in college, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to the NCAA granting all players an extra year of eligibility. Nixon was one of several CU seniors who wound up playing their final year elsewhere.
“The opportunity came for people to decide if they wanted to stay or transfer,” he said. “I got the opportunity to transfer and the first time I put my name in, USC was the first offer. Getting the opportunity to be at USC is a dream for sure.”
So far, Nixon hasn’t been a big part of the Trojans’ plan, as he’s had just two catches for 19 yards. He hasn’t regretted the decision, however.
“At the end of the day, I came here to build my network, to be a better player every day,” he said. “All things will work out. I’m never worried. Never tripping about the catches.”
Nixon, who still dreams of playing in the NFL, has always had big goals off the field and said being in Los Angeles has been great for him.
“Just being in Los Angeles, it’s the land of opportunity,” he said. “Putting myself around the best players, the best athletes every day, I’m getting better at practice every moment; not just as a receiver, but blocking, technique, developing. That was my biggest goal, so when I do go to the league, I’m already transitioning and being the best version of me.
“Off the field, I’m right by Hollywood. Every day, there’s people we’re meeting on campus. You’re meeting multi-billionaires and millionaires every day. You even meet actors and business man’s kids, because they attend USC. Having the opportunity to be around certain people that you would never experience (elsewhere) is a blessing.”
Nixon knows that when he gets to Folsom on Saturday, some fans will cheer him while others will boo, but he said, “They know I gave CU everything I’ve got and if you ask the coaches or players, they’ll tell you I gave everything I got to CU. (Going to USC) was a life decision for me, and hopefully they see that one day.”
His former teammates do, for sure, but they’re looking forward to seeing Nixon again.
“KD’s my boy,” CU receiver Dimitri Stanley said. “We’re always gonna be close. I’m excited to see him for sure. I’ve been wishing the best for him since he left here.
“I’ve seen the pictures (of Nixon in a USC uniform), so the image is kind of already in my brain, but thinking of going against him is honestly crazy.”
While Nixon said he’s moved on and doesn’t expect to feel any nostalgia at Folsom Field, he is also looking forward to seeing Stanley and others.
“Oh yeah, for sure, just to see some friends, family, the fans,” he said. “It’s another opportunity to provide for myself and my dreams, another opportunity I can take advantage of.
“My favorite memory (from CU) is just having the opportunity to strap my jersey on because I told coach if I was ever to get the opportunity … I’ll provide.”
Notes
On Tuesday, defensive end Blayne Toll put his name into the NCAA transfer portal. A freshman, Toll came to CU as a transfer from Arkansas in the spring. Toll is the second Buff to put his name in the portal this week, joining defensive lineman Lloyd Murray, Jr. … Tight end Matt Lynch has been named as a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, presented annually by the National Football Foundation to the nation’s top football scholar-athlete.
