D.J. Swearinger, S, South Carolina Gamecocks: 2013 NFL Draft Player Profile

Nov 24, 2012; Clemson, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks player D.J. Swearinger (36) prior to the game against the Clemson Tigers at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 208 pounds

Position Rank:

Drafted By:

40 Yard Dash: 4.67

Bench Press: 17

Vertical Jump: 37″

Broad Jump: 124″

2012 Stats

Career Highlights (via South Carolina athletics site)

2012: Senior defensive back who was considered the biggest hitter of the defense and one of the team’s top playmakers… recognized as a second-team All-SEC performer by the coaches, the AP and Phil Steele… started all 12 games in which he appeared… credited with 79 tackles (second on the team), two interceptions including a 69-yard “pick-six”, a team-leading seven pass breakups, two fumble recoveries including a 65-yard fumble return for a touchdown, and two forced fumbles… credited with a pair of pass breakups in the season-opening win at Vanderbilt, including one on a fourth-down play on the Commodores’ final drive, securing the victory… had an interception in the win over East Carolina… grabbed a fumble and rambled 65 yards to paydirt in the win over UAB… earned a spot on Phil Steele’s second-team Midseason All-SEC squad… logged 10 tackles at LSU… credited with a team-leading 10 tackles including eight solo stops in the win over Tennessee… logged a season-best 13 stops including 10 solos against Arkansas and, with his 69-yard interception return for a score, was named the Walter Camp Foundation National Defensive Player of the Week and the SEC co-Defensive Player of the Week… logged a dozen tackles against Wofford, giving him 35 tackles over a three-game stretch… finished his career with a none-tackle performance against Michigan in the Outback Bowl… added two pass breakups and forced a fumble in that contest… played in 52 of the 53 games over the past four seasons, making 33 starts… recorded 244 tackles with six interceptions… invited to the Senior Bowl following the season… invited to the NFL Combine.

2011: Junior safety who ranked second on the team in tackles with 80, including 58 solo stops… tied for second on the team with three interceptions… started all 13 games… played the first two games of the season at strong safety, before moving to play the free safety spot for the rest of the season… had seven tackles against both Georgia and Navy… logged his first interception of the year vs. Kentucky… had the best game of his Gamecock career at Mississippi State… named the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week after totaling a career-best 12 tackles and intercepting a pass in the waning minutes of the game to preserve the 14-12 win… had his third pick in as many games when he intercepted a Tennessee pass near the goal line… credited with nine tackles against Florida and eight more against The Citadel… logged seven solo tackles and forced a key fumble in the Capital One Bowl win over Nebraska.

2010: Played in all 14 games, starting eight… played both the free and strong safety positions… fourth on the team with 66 tackles, including 2.0 for loss… credited with five pass breakups… also returned four kickoffs for a 21.8 yard average… had four tackles and a forced fumble at Auburn… tied for the team lead with a career-best nine tackles in win over No. 1 Alabama in first career start… posted seven tackles including a tackle for loss at Kentucky… had seven tackles coming off the bench versus Arkansas… made first start at strong safety vs. Florida and had six tackles and a pass breakup… picked off a pass vs. Troy and returned it 22 yards for his first career touchdown… had five tackles in the game.

2009: Solid contributor as a true freshman defensive back… played in all 13 games… logged 19 tackles, including 13 solo stops… had one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry… had three tackles against Alabama and three solo stops at Arkansas.

Scouting Report/Player Notes

Swearinger was due for a breakout season, and as a junior in 2011, he had it. With 80 tackles and three interceptions, he was one of the unsung heroes of a very good South Carolina defense. He finished the year as the starting “Free safety” for the Gamecocks, but he is a very versatile player that can play a variety of positions. He sat out the Spring with a foot injury, but he should be back and ready to go in 2012 after playing in all 40 games of his USC career. Player with very good closing speed who should be one of the top safety prospects when the draft rolls around, I expect him to be a starter in the NFL eventually, though his position is one of the hardest to transition to. He can play all over the secondary and contribute on special teams, but I envision him getting a full-time starting gig at free safety in the NFL. He has improving ball skills and he is a fearless hitter. He should be a second or third round pick barring injury.

2011 Notes:

Hard hitting safety who is still very raw, but he has a ton of potential. As a sophomore, he had a very solid all-around season with 66 tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception. He also had two tackles for a loss, and showed that he is capable of being a solid kick returner (five returns for 21.8 yard average). Highly sought after high school recruit who is growing into his role in the South Carolina secondary. He has a long way to go in his development as an NFL player, so he could certainly be back for his senior year unless he has a huge junior season.

Video Highlights (via YouTube)