Shavezz Dixon knew what he was looking for the second time around. The former Ole Miss offensive line commit out of Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County reopened his recruitment earlier in the process, determined to find the right fit before making another college decision. After a strong push from North Carolina that began earlier this year, the three-star offensive lineman found exactly what he was looking for.

Now Dixon is headed to Chapel Hill.

“Development, the history behind Coach Belichick and just the atmosphere and campus environment,” Dixon said when asked about the biggest reasons behind his decision.

North Carolina offered Dixon in January after Bill Belichick, Michael Lombardi and Will Friend visited his school. They extended the offer, and from that point forward, the recruitment took off.

“It just skyrocketed from there with North Carolina. They were on me hard, and so consistent. Coach Lombardi and Coach Friend were great. “They were very straightforward with me and honest, so that put them high on my list.

“Out of all the colleges I’ve been to and talked to, they had the best plan for me to develop as a player.”

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The Tar Heels quickly separated themselves from the pack.

Florida State, Georgia Tech and Florida State all remained heavily involved, but a trip to Chapel Hill helped the Tar Heels win out.

“That visit in March changed everything. I talked to Coach Belichick a lot and Coach Friend, and it just felt right. Our relationships grew, the campus was awesome and I just liked the opportunity I saw there.”

Dixon excited about the staff he will play for in Chapel Hill

Development sat at the top of Dixon’s list.

So did the opportunity to play for one of the most accomplished coaches in football history.

Friend also played a major role.

“Coach Friend is a great coach,” Dixon said. “He’s very hands-on. He’s going to teach you. That’s why I feel like I can get developed by him. Some coaches want to yell and scream, but Coach Friend is about teaching his players. He has had success at different places and he is a great coach to learn from.”

The chance to play for Belichick added another layer to the decision.

“I know that the opportunities are there. I just have to go prove myself. He is a winner. Coach Belichick is one of the best.

“I feel like this year will definitely be a year they take it over the top and exceed expectations. There is no doubt that he will win at North Carolina.”

Dixon will be back in Chapel Hill June 12 for his official visit, and that will be the only one he takes.

“I have shut it all down,” Dixon said. “I know this is home. This is the place for me.”

The road to Omaha runs through Lawrence this weekend.

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Oklahoma and Kansas will meet in the NCAA Super Regionals with a trip to the College World Series on the line. The best-of-three series features two of the hottest teams in college baseball after both pulled off major upsets during regional play.

The Sooners advanced by eliminating No. 2 national seed Georgia Tech in Atlanta, while Kansas swept through its home regional, including two wins over Arkansas.

Kansas radio analyst Kevin Wheeler joined Toby Rowland on the Oklahoma’s Own Sports Podcast this week and said the atmosphere at Hoglund Ballpark should be unlike anything fans have seen this season.

Kansas expects a packed and loud Hoglund Ballpark

“Every single pitch, the crowd lived and died with that moment,” Wheeler said. “It was really special to see that.”

Wheeler said the Jayhawks benefited from one of the best home-field environments in program history during regional play and expects an even larger crowd for the Super Regional.

Kansas recently expanded fan areas around the stadium and has continued to set attendance records during its historic season.

Historic season fuels Jayhawks’ confidence

The Jayhawks enter the weekend in the middle of one of the best seasons the program has ever seen.

Kansas won the Big 12 regular-season championship for the first time in more than 70 years, captured its first conference tournament title in two decades and hosted its first NCAA Regional.

Wheeler credited head coach Dan Fitzgerald for building a culture centered on team-first players.

“He doesn’t want the best player in the country. He wants the best teammate in the country,” Wheeler said.

Dominic Voegele and Kansas lineup present major challenge

Kansas is expected to start ace Dominic Voegele in Game 1.

Wheeler described Voegele as one of the best pitchers to ever wear a Jayhawk uniform, highlighting his upper-90s fastball, elite breaking ball and dominant strikeout numbers.

Offensively, the Jayhawks are led by shortstop Tyson LeBlanc, who has already broken the program’s single-season home run record.

Wheeler said Kansas’ lineup is dangerous from top to bottom, featuring a mix of power, athleticism and lineup balance that has helped fuel one of the nation’s most productive offenses.

Why Kansas respects Oklahoma’s postseason run

While Kansas has enjoyed a dream season, Wheeler said the Jayhawks understand the challenge awaiting them this weekend.

Oklahoma enters the series after knocking off Georgia Tech twice in Atlanta and overcoming multiple deficits during regional play.

“If I was Oklahoma, I’d be on cloud nine,” Wheeler said. “I think that’s the kind of team that doesn’t even think they can get beat right now.”

Both programs enter the weekend believing they have what it takes to reach Omaha.

Game 1 between Oklahoma and Kansas is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday in Lawrence. Game 2 will be played Sunday at 5 p.m., with a winner-take-all Game 3 set for Monday if necessary.

One team will leave Lawrence headed to the College World Series.