Dickerson's family moved to Pearland in 1957, but it was not until after integration that he attended Pearland schools. Before the third grade he attended Ralph A Bunch in Manvel, Texas. At Pearland (TX), he was a three-year starter at running back and also played linebacker.

He received All-American honors as a senior.
He began his college career at Henderson County Junior College, where he was a Junior College All-American and an All-conference linebacker in 1976.

In 1977, Dickerson transferred to Southern Methodist University where he was named co-captain and a starter at linebacker, finishing with 136 tackles (62 solo), one safety, one caused fumble, and one blocked kick. He also had a game against Ohio State University where he recorded 32 tackles. In 1978, he was let go by head coach Ron Meyer. Meyer was quoted as saying "I haven't been around that long, but Dickerson was the greatest linebacker I have ever coached".

On October 1, 2011, he was inducted into the Trinity Valley Community College Cardinal Hall of Fame