USC's Swearinger awaits the call as NFL Draft nears
While Jadeveon Clowney was the best-known member of South Carolina's defense last year, the unit's unquestioned leader was defensive back D.J. Swearinger.
After helping USC finish the 2012 season ranked No. 11 in the country in total defense, the hard-hitting safety is one of Carolina's top prospects and has his eyes set on being a high NFL draft pick this month.
“I want to go first round, that's my ultimate goal,” the Greenwood native said. “Wherever I go I want to get to my team and start from Day 1 and be an impact from Day 1.”
Swearinger was hoping to run the 40-yard dash in the 4.5 range at South Carolina's pro day last week, but ultimately ran a 4.65. While he may not have great sprinter speed, he's confident he's plenty fast enough to be a successful NFL safety.
“The biggest thing for DBs is how fast you can get from point A to point B. I think I do a very good job with that, and I think I showed that,” he said. “(Pro Day) is a different process because it's more of a track approach with testings and measurements. There's nothing really football about it, but it's something we've got to do to get to the next level and I'm all for it.”
Swearinger is one of a number of Upstate NFL prospects looking to be a high draft pick later this month.
LSU's Sam Montgomery (Greenwood) and Clemson's DeAndre Hopkins (Daniel) also have a chance go late in the first round.
“We always say in South Carolina the best guys are from the Upstate, the 864 area,” Swearinger said. “I think it's a big class for the 864 and we're putting on very well.”
While Swearinger was listed as a safety at USC, he showed his versatility by playing cornerback when injuries depleted Carolina's secondary. He said teams have told him they like his ability to play a number of different positions and he believes that will help him come draft day.
“They're seeing me as a versatile safety that can play both free, strong and play a little nickel back. I'm just ready to play and wherever I go I'm going to be an impact from day one,” he said. “I'll play anywhere on the field. If you want me to play offense I'll play offense, too.”
Swearinger had a number of memorable games at USC, but said if he could show NFL scouts one game tape from his college career, it would be the one from USC's victory over Arkansas last season.
The game was somewhat up and down for him. He was called for 15-yard penalties on three consecutive plays, but he also showed off his hard-hitting ability and playmaking skills while registering a pick-six.
“I got national player of the week (after that game). I think I played everywhere on the field — strong safety, free safety, nickel and corner. I just showed my versatility in every aspect of that game,” he said.
Swearinger has visits set up with the Jets, Jaguars, Falcons and Browns ahead of the draft. He's not sure of his plans for the draft, but says he'll watch it with his family.
Link: http://bleacherreport.com/tb/da5Wc?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=south-carolina-football
While Jadeveon Clowney was the best-known member of South Carolina's defense last year, the unit's unquestioned leader was defensive back D.J. Swearinger.
After helping USC finish the 2012 season ranked No. 11 in the country in total defense, the hard-hitting safety is one of Carolina's top prospects and has his eyes set on being a high NFL draft pick this month.
“I want to go first round, that's my ultimate goal,” the Greenwood native said. “Wherever I go I want to get to my team and start from Day 1 and be an impact from Day 1.”
Swearinger was hoping to run the 40-yard dash in the 4.5 range at South Carolina's pro day last week, but ultimately ran a 4.65. While he may not have great sprinter speed, he's confident he's plenty fast enough to be a successful NFL safety.
“The biggest thing for DBs is how fast you can get from point A to point B. I think I do a very good job with that, and I think I showed that,” he said. “(Pro Day) is a different process because it's more of a track approach with testings and measurements. There's nothing really football about it, but it's something we've got to do to get to the next level and I'm all for it.”
Swearinger is one of a number of Upstate NFL prospects looking to be a high draft pick later this month.
LSU's Sam Montgomery (Greenwood) and Clemson's DeAndre Hopkins (Daniel) also have a chance go late in the first round.
“We always say in South Carolina the best guys are from the Upstate, the 864 area,” Swearinger said. “I think it's a big class for the 864 and we're putting on very well.”
While Swearinger was listed as a safety at USC, he showed his versatility by playing cornerback when injuries depleted Carolina's secondary. He said teams have told him they like his ability to play a number of different positions and he believes that will help him come draft day.
“They're seeing me as a versatile safety that can play both free, strong and play a little nickel back. I'm just ready to play and wherever I go I'm going to be an impact from day one,” he said. “I'll play anywhere on the field. If you want me to play offense I'll play offense, too.”
Swearinger had a number of memorable games at USC, but said if he could show NFL scouts one game tape from his college career, it would be the one from USC's victory over Arkansas last season.
The game was somewhat up and down for him. He was called for 15-yard penalties on three consecutive plays, but he also showed off his hard-hitting ability and playmaking skills while registering a pick-six.
“I got national player of the week (after that game). I think I played everywhere on the field — strong safety, free safety, nickel and corner. I just showed my versatility in every aspect of that game,” he said.
Swearinger has visits set up with the Jets, Jaguars, Falcons and Browns ahead of the draft. He's not sure of his plans for the draft, but says he'll watch it with his family.
Link: http://bleacherreport.com/tb/da5Wc?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=south-carolina-football