The questions are simple and only time will determine the answers.

Will Army fullback Larry Dixon be the latest Black Knight to make his way to the NFL and what is the senior hearing from the NFL in regards to "the league's" level of interest in his talents?

Well, first things first. Like Josh McNary (Colts), Collin Mooney (Tenn. Titans), Ali Villanueva (Steelers) and Trent Steelman, all of whom have gone before Dixon in their respective NFL quests -- if drafted or signed as a free agent, the fullback would have to spend two years in the Army. Hence, taking the A1 (athletic intern formerly known as a GA) status next year, which would allow him the opportunity to make the various football camps and training on his free time.

GoBlackKnights.com caught up with Dixon on Wednesday, during some down-time from his 2-hour morning practice in preparation for this weekend's East-West Shrine game.

The Black Knights' 2014 co-captain, who put up an impressive 2,940 yards during his college football career was quick to point out that he has been hearing rumblings that some NFL teams have their eyes on him. Needless to say, this week's events and the game itself will hopefully be one of many opportunities for Dixon to showcase both his on-the-field talents, as well as his mental desire to play at the next level.

"I'm not hearing anything crazy, but I think there has been some interest," shared the Bremerton (Wash.) native. "Some scouts have wanted to figure out a little bit more about me and what I can do. I think that's what this week is where they are trying to answer the question, can I go and be a traditional fullback. Honestly, I'm just doing my best to try and answer that question."

"It's kind of hard to get a feel for how they are judging me, but whenever I talk to a scout about anything, it's more in line of are you ready for the transition and can you make this transition."

Of all the former Black Knights that have had some taste of the NFL experience over the past five years, the 5-foot-10, 237 pounder has turned to his former QB [Steelman] for some immediate direction and insight.

- Army fullback, Larry Dixon

"As of right now, I'm talking to Trent and that kind of looks like [A1] the route I will be taking," said Dixon. "I'm not sure of the exact amount of time, but you have to do some time in the military before I'm able to get out and try to really talk to teams about pursuing a spot on their roster."

"I talk to Trent a lot and we got really got close in his last season with us. I'm going to talk to Collin Mooney when I have a little more time, plus I know he's very busy as you can imagine. But I did talk to Trent last night and he kind of gave me what my life's going to look like as far as when I could go and what I could do or how I should be approaching this. He's been like a big brother, where he calms me down if I get nervous, as well as how I should be conducting myself."

When you enter West Point as a football player, unlike an Alabama or Ohio State, where the target for many players is that chance to play in "the league" .... your ultimate goal at the academy is to become an Officer in the United States Army. But that does not suggest that those who have demonstrated talents, like Dixon, which border the possibility of an NFL career, the they themselves don't have it in the back (or perhaps the front) of their minds, to pursue a professional football career.

"Absolutely," bellowed Dixon, when asked if he has a true personal interest in pursuing an NFL career. "I mean, it's kind of the competitor in me that wants to know how good I am compared to the best. I can't lie ... I think about it all the time. Can I hang with the big boys. I feel that when anyone is competitive, they want to play as much as they can and with the best people that they can.

As such, the former Rivals 3-star recruit, who turned down several other offers to attend West Point and play for Army, said that his experience at the East-West Shrine practice sessions have been enlightening.

"It's been awesome," added the 4-year starter. "Everyone that I'm seeing is a top athlete, a top competitor at their level and they've done really well. From the running backs you can pick up little things. From the quarterbacks, you get kind of a scope of the game. My roommate here is a quarterback from Old Dominion [Taylor Heinecke]. So, just understanding that and with him, it's nice to room with him and although we are in different spots, he's a pretty good prospect. But, he has to make a jump from kind of being spread run and gun system QB to being under center. So, he's making some the kind of growths that I am and it's been nice hanging with him to see how the both of us are handling it and move forward here. But overall, it's great to see the work ethic and see what everyone is willing to do to be the best."

It is clear that Dixon has an uphill battle when it comes to obtaining his NFL dream.   First, because the traditional fullback position is somewhat obsolete in many of today's NFL offenses and even while in college, fullbacks just don't walk into the league with a rich pedigree, as so many other skilled positions carry.   And as previously mentioned, his 2-year military commitment will have most teams considering him only as a free agent versus utilizing one of their draft picks.

Whatever those hurdles might be, the tough blocking and hard running fullback is more than up to the task.

This past week, Dixon had posted the following comments on his Facebook page, as he took time to elaborate on his exact point of reference surrounding his social media blog.

"Whenever I've played a sport and was ready to move to the next level, I was always told that I wouldn't be a fit here because of X,Y or Z," explained Dixon.

"When I got to junior high, I was too big to play running back, when I got to high school they said I wasn't really strong enough at that point and when I got to college, they said I was too slow. So, at every level it's been something, but I've been able to overcome those obstacles. In the end, I'm going to be the one that controls my destiny and I want to keep going as far as I can. To know that when it's all said and done, I gave everything that I had."

As Dixon alluded to and as Army fans have witnessed over the past four year, those words pretty much sum up the type of athlete and competitor that No. 26 is.