:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60235367/487902450.jpg.0.jpg)
I am a big fan of walk-ons that earn scholarships. They are the ultimate hard workers, because they were overlooked int he recruiting process and earn their spots over guys who were awarded scholarships from day one. We have a few such guys on the roster, and one of them is today’s player.
Eric Swingler - Sr.
Munster, IN (Munster HS)
6’6”, 295 pounds
Offensive Line
2018 Projection: Contributor on the Offensive Line
Swingler has emerged as a major asset. After not playing for two seasons as as a walk-on and suffering a major knee knjury he emerged last year as a valuable reserve. He was elated to receive a scholarship last May:
Throughout the spring, the 6-foot-6, 305-pounder spoke with coaches to stay in the scholarship loop. He received positive feedback, and was informed in May a scholarship was available.
”I was over the moon, crazy excited,” Swingler said. “It was the thing I’d been working for for a long time, and to have it happen was really special. It got real when I signed the papers here in June.”
First-year coach Jeff Brohm has been impressed with Swingler.
”He works extremely hard,” Brohm said. “He does play with confidence. He believes he’s very good. While we have to continue to get him better and make sure he’s a consistent player, he works hard at it and he’s into it.
”His passion for the game is as important as anything.”
He appeared in 12 games and even stepped up to start at left tackle in the final 7 games after Grant Hermanns was injured.
Like many linemen under Brohm, his versatility stands out. He can play at guard or tackle, and has played both on the right and left side. He comes into this season as a possible starter and definite contributor.