One on One with Will Swinney
Will Swinney became the first son of a head coach to play for the Tigers since 1963 and Saturday, the sophomore scored his first career touchdown.
So far this season, Swinney is accredited with a six-yard pass vs. Furman, a seven-yard pass vs. Georgia Southern, two passes for seven yards from Chase Brice and Hunter Renfrow at Wake and added another reception against NC State.
Q – First touchdown of your college career, talk about what you were feeling in that moment.
Swinney – Well, I just knew right before the play, I was like “alright, I have got to get in the end zone right here and I know that we were pretty close and I was like anything that I can do. Great job by Zach getting us started by getting a good snap to Chase and Chase getting me a good pitch. As I was running out, I saw the guys running wide with Cannon and Lyn-J and they did a good job covering them up and I just cut it up and when I cut it, I was probably on the 9 yard line and there was no one there and I just ran, I don’t know if I even felt the guy on me but I just ran, when I dove in, I looked back to make sure that there were no penalties and I was like “alright! We’re good” so we were just celebrating and it was really cool.
Q – You became the first son of a head coach to play for the Tigers since 1963. What is it like to play college ball for your dad?
Swinney – It’s really special. It’s special because all parents want to see their kids play and he gets to coach me while also seeing me play. It’s kinda like having the best of both worlds with them living here too, I can go home whenever I need to. But it’s like having any coach honestly, but I think my dad is a really good coach and a really good man to lead us. I love it.
Q – You get to suit up with a lot of guys that you played football with in high school, talk about what that’s like.
Swinney – It’s cool. At Daniel, we have a lot of pride in the tradition that they have there and we have four players in the NFL right now that all went to Clemson. It’s really great to see all my former teammates whether they go other places or here, it’s great to see them all doing well and I am just proud of them.
Q – When you came on to the team, was there anyone that you sought for guidance?
Swinney – A lot of people honestly, so obviously my parents have always been there and my brothers, on this team particularly, last year, my cousin Jack was on the team so he helped me a lot, Hunter Renfrow has always been a good friend to me ever since he got here and as a mentor and JD and Judah Davis, they’ve been my best friends my whole life because we were neighbors, they were great also.
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