Jameson Dion was fresh off a 295-yard, five-touchdown rushing performance against Putnam in the opening contest of his senior season at Amherst Regional, and the Hurricanes were set to host Springfield International Charter School in their first night game of the fall of 2023. Dion touched the ball 10 times in the opener, half of which turned into six points.

But as much as he liked to run by – or through – defenders with his rare combination of speed and power, Dion enjoyed flying around on defense even more. That much became clear in Amherst’s 58-0 rout of SICS in game No. 2 of the season, one in which Dion only played in the first half (just as he did versus Putnam). The Bulldogs’ quarterback dropped back to pass, turned to his left and quickly fired a screen pass to the boundary.

Dion had it sniffed out.

He broke hard from his safety position and took off toward the SICS receiver. He lowered his shoulder and drove it through the chest of the ball carrier, planting him into the ground for a highlight-reel hit.

From that moment on, there was never a doubt about which position he wanted to play in college. Safety it was.

And earlier this month, Dion committed to take his talents to the University of New Hampshire at the Division I level to be Wildcats head coach Ricky Santos’ next hard-hitting ball hawk.

“The coaches were reaching out to me a lot, and they started a connection with me more than other coaches,” Dion said when asked why he chose UNH. “They were always in contact. I went on a visit there, and I felt like I was just going to be a good fit with their program. That was what made me really want to go there. I really liked the culture when I went up there. Some players sat down with me and talked to me about football, and all of UNH’s values and beliefs are the same that I have, so I think it’s a good program for me.”

After wrapping up his senior season with well over 1,000 yards and more than 15 TDs – and plenty more heavy hits – at Amherst, Dion committed to play for Tommy Beaton and Williston for a post-graduate season.

There, he earned First Team All-NEPSAC and helped the Wildcats to an 8-1 record this fall – including a bowl game win over Cheshire Academy. His new head coach had high praise for Dion on signing day.

“Jameson is a dynamic two-way athlete who had a huge impact on his high school and prep school teams,” Santos said. “We are excited to utilize his skill set at the safety position. He has the athleticism to make plays when the ball is in the air and the physicality to play around the line of scrimmage. He is a great tackler and will bring toughness to the safety room that will make everyone around him better. We’re so excited to have join our Wildcat family.”

While Dion did admit to getting a few looks at running back, his higher-profile offers were at safety. He knew that was his best bet. Dion received his first offer from Merrimack at the end of the summer, and following the first few weeks of the season at Williston, more started flowing in. Bryant, Georgetown, UNH, Stonehill and more came knocking.

His 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame and killer speed likely peaked coaches’ interest, as the physical traits are always sought after. But Dion’s great instinct and football IQ is what made northeast coaches salivate. As Santos said, he plays the pass well but can also come up around the line of scrimmage to make a stick in the hole.

“I kind of always wanted to play defense,” Dion said. “I like playing physical and playing the defensive side of the ball even though I had some success at running back. I knew that I wanted to play safety. I like hitting people. And the coaches were also looking at me more at safety, so it worked out.”

When it came time for the pen in Dion’s hand to hit the paper and sign his letter of intent Dec. 4, it released a feeling he had never experienced. There wasn’t any other plan when it came to football. Dion always was going to play D-I.

“It felt great,” Dion said. “Ever since I started playing, when I first got in high school, I knew I had the chance of playing Division I – but I knew it would be hard. I put in a lot of work and made it happen. Being able to believe in myself and what I can do, and having it pay off, it feels good. It’s a dream come true.”

Dion gave Coach Beaton and the rest of Williston’s staff their flowers. At Amherst, playing public school teams with decreasing numbers and a lower competition level hurt his chances at achieving his dream. So he made the decision to go prep, and he soon realized what it takes to make it at the next level.

Two practices a day, extensive film sessions and essentially entire days dedicated to nothing but football consumed his summer. And he loved every second of it.

“That was kind of new to me, but it was awesome,” Dion said. “My team had a lot of Division 1 commits, so running out with them every day at practice obviously pushed me to be better. Playing D-I talent every week and playing very successful teams helped out too.”

But Dion will never forget where he came from and where his journey started: at Amherst Regional. Hurricanes head coach Vinny Guiel always sang Dion’s praises, and he aided him in the recruiting process in any way he could.

The two still remain in contact “every week or so,” according to Dion, and his Amherst roots are sure to be taken with him as he steps on the field in Durham next fall.

“Coach Vinny, he did everything for me,” Dion said. “There was nothing else he could’ve done. He did everything to help me get recruited and turn me into the football player I am. He tried his best with the exposure level and the talent we were playing to get me looks. Me and Vinny are always in contact. He’s very happy for me along with all of the other coaches at Amherst. I’ll never forget playing for Amherst.”