On Monday, one of the area’s best Division 1-FBS prospects joined Score Atlanta’s The Official Visit, as co-hosts Fletcher Proctor and Scott Janovitz had a chance to speak with Grady defensive back Damian Swann. The standout safety has spent most of the off-season splitting time between learning a new position (cornerback) and the baseball diamond. Swann, the two-sport star, will be focused this fall though on becoming a lockdown cornerback as his recruiting process will heat up in a hurry. Because of baseball obligations, Swann missed out on various recruiting trips that rising seniors typically make during the summer before the season starts, but Swann isn’t concerned. “I can do visits in the off-season,” said Swann, as he disregarded the notion that recruiting might be a distraction this season.
The current season will be an important one for Swann and his Grady Knights. After a nice playoff run last season, Swann feels that this team improved offensively during the off-season. “We have the pieces to the puzzle to go all the way to a state championship.” Swann himself has worked hard and feels he can really make an impact at cornerback. “I feel I can cover anybody on the field, and that’s going to be an advantage to the team.” Swann denied that the position switch will make it tougher for recruiters to get a feel for how good he is.
Despite the switch, Swann is ranked near the top of every recruiting service’s list of defensive backs and is considered one of Georgia’s top prospects. He was recently named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Eleven as well as the Score Atlanta 44, but his Star-count and spot on various all-star lists doesn’t necessarily move his meter. “It’s an honor, but I just like to play football. Lists and rankings are a part of it, but I just like to play.”
So just who might secure Swann’s signature come National Signing Day? Several SEC teams have so far caught Swann’s eye. Swann said in the interview that he is interested in Alabama as well as Florida. Of the Gators, Swann said that “they’ve been one of the best, but they’re (going to) have a rebuilding year (in 2010).”
The Georgia Bulldogs have also drawn Swann’s interest as Mark Richt has run “a pretty good program the last few years.” Swann was very complimentary of the Dawgs’ future as well. “In a couple years, Georgia is going to be one of the best teams in the SEC, and I can help them be (one), if I decide to go there.” Swann also noted that the “Dream Team,” that Richt and his staff are trying to assemble is appealing but Swann isn’t necessarily buying into it.
As far as the possibility that Swann would stick close to home and attend Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets were all but ruled out Monday night. “I have no interest in Georgia Tech.” Though no explanation was necessary, Swann admitted that he wanted to get away from home, “an hour away at least,” as he wanted to see life outside of Atlanta.
The race for Damian Swann will likely last a long while though. While a timeline was not given he did say he was not afraid to take visits following his senior season if need be. Whoever gets Swann will certainly get a tremendous athlete that can not only play multiple positions in the defensive secondary but also a few on offense as well. Swann can pretty much do it all and would be a welcome addition on any squad that is looking for super-star athletes.
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