Dixon signs free agency deal with Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — A former Carlinville Cavalier is now part of the New England Patriots following a post-draft free agency signing.

Kyle Dixon inked the deal with New England after going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, April 23-25.

Dixon, a record-setting receiver at the NAIA program, Culver-Stockton, was considered a long-shot late pick in the Draft. Unfortunately, no one selected him in the late rounds.

Dixon marks the fourth Wildcat to be undrafted signing in the NFL

The signing marks the fourth alumnus of the football program to enter the NFL. They include Bob Hendren, Jason Kaiser, and Andrew Rupcich. Rupcich, the most recent signing, originally signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Rupchich, 27, joined the Patriots in September 2025. Dixon will have a fellow alum to practice with on the gridiron.

The 6-4, 216-pound Dixon was fourth in the NAIA with 83 receptions and third with 1,282 receiving yards in 2025.

At Culver-Stockton, Dixon was named to the American  Football Coaches  Association – NAIA All-American team. He was also a Heart of America Athletic Conference first team pick for the second straight year.

A product of the transfer portal, Dixon played baseball at SIU-Carbondale, SIU-Edwardsville, and Georgia Gwinnett College before making the jump to the Canton, Mo. college.

In good company

Though most undrafted free agents have a minimal chance of sticking on NFL rosters, some future superstars began that way.

On the Patriots alone, they signed Adam Vinatieri out of South Dakota State. Vinatieri is considered one of the most clutch kickers in league history, booting game-winning field goals in two Super Bowls in his 20-year career. He retired in 2016, tallying three Pro Bowl nods and three All-Pro selections.

Notable UDFAs include NFL Hall of Famers Kurt Warner, Warren Moon, Antonio Gates, Adam Vinatieri, and John Randle.

Tony Romo, a product of Eastern Illinois who went undrafted in 2003, went to the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. He would spend his entire 13-year career in Arlington until retiring in 2016.

Dixon seeks to be the third Carlinville product to play in the NFL

An all-state selection as a defensive back, Dixon was an all-South Central Conference pick as a receiver. He was also a two-time all-SCC pick in baseball.

Dixon will try to become just the third Carlinville product to play in the NFL.

The others were Leland “Tiny” Lewis, who appeared in 14 games over the 1930-31 seasons with Portsmouth Lions (now the Detroit Lions) and a now-defunct Cleveland franchise, and Mike Seyfrit, who played in 13 games for now-defunct franchises in Toledo and Hammond in 1923-24.