Interview: 14-Offer 3-Star 2022 California Talent Kenji Swanson Born to Play Offensive Tackle
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Everything leading up to the 2019 season was preparation for a then unknown path to instant stardom for Kenji Swanson. Swanson, a lifelong basketball player, made the switch to football earning a starting job on St. Francis High School’s varsity squad at one of the most critical positions, left tackle. The rest, as they say, is history. Swanson took to playing left tackle in a hurry earning first team All-League honors, three-star recruiting status, and has 14 scholarship offers to date. When the 2020 season gets going in California, college programs will easily be able to spot the 6-8, 305-pound, road-grading lineman who was born to mix it up in the trenches.
After an offseason transfer from St. Francis to Sierra Canyon, Swanson fills us in on preparing for his junior season with his new team and runs down his growing recruiting process.
Interview
Kenji, you were able to showcase a lot of your abilities last season. The coaches had you pulling, going downfield taking out defensive backs, and the usual setting up the pocket and run blocking plays. When you ended your sophomore season, how did you feel your overall game had improved?
I want to start by saying that was my first year playing varsity football and my first time ever experiencing a full football season. Before, I had never had played a full season, I was strictly playing basketball. After begging my parents, they finally let me play. Playing my first varsity season, there was a lot of learning going on for me. I was learning technique, football IQ, learning my position, and how football works. The toughest part was learning how to play a whole new sport.
Good job. I had no idea.
Thank you.
When you took on the 2020 offseason, which areas of your game did you focus on?
Because I was a basketball player, I am athletic and have good footwork and agility. I continued to work on that but I wanted to focus more on being an offensive tackle. I did a lot of lower body work, technique work, and went to a lot of camps (2019) to get college coaches advice and help. The camps really helped me.
Which camps did you go to?
I went to a UCLA camp, USC, and a Notre Dame last summer. Wish I could have gone to some this summer.
Where are you already seeing the improvements in your game from the offseason workouts?
For me, after watching my highlights from last season, I told myself I can do 10 times better. I kept practicing both right and left tackle, I have been studying more on our plays, and working to understand the offense more. This season will be night and day from last season on film. Since last season, with my Sierra Canyon coaches, I have learned so much. I have learned the proper way to play. They have taught me a lot that will benefit my game.
Everything is coming together. I am sure this is an exciting time for you as more of the pieces of the puzzle are being put together for you.
Yes. It is nice to see all my hard work paying off even though I know I have a long way to go.
This offseason you transferred to Sierra Canyon. What style of offense will you guys be running this season?
We will be running a no-huddle with a good balance of running and throwing.
With the new team, at position will you be playing?
My main focus is at tackle. I am taking all the tackle reps I can. I have focused on learning the plays at that position.
How have you bulked up and added more power to your game this spring and summer?
This offseason, a lot of the gyms have been shut down. Even the Sierra Canyon gym is not open. I have been working from home and on Facetime with my trainer. My trainer has me doing push and pull workouts and a lot of lower body workouts to be in that stance the whole game. I have been working mainly on my lower body and pushing. To be a good tackle you have to have a strong lower body and push whoever is in front of you.
What have you been doing to keep those quick feet and improve on your steps?
I have been doing a lot of footwork drills, ladder drills, agility drills at home and at practice. I have been doing everything I can to keep my athleticism; that is one of the strengths in my game.
Your growing talents have caught the attention from college programs. How many offers do you have?
I have 13 offers.
Which programs were the last couple to offer?
The last ones were Colorado, Ohio State, Cal, and Stanford. Those were my last four.
*After this interview, Swanson was given an offer by UNLV
Swanson’s Offer Sheet (14): Arizona State, Auburn, California, Colorado, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, Stanford, Tennessee, UNLV, USC, and Utah
Going back to last season, did you get to take any unofficial visits?
Yes, I took a Junior Day visit to USC. That is when they told me about my first offer, that was around February 2nd. That was the only real visit I was able to take before it all shutdown. As soon as NCAA allows it, I will take as many visits as I can to have a great understanding of campus life and see where I fit in.
With that USC visit, it obviously was a great one; you got an offer. What all did you see and do during the visit?
During the week leading up to the visit, a USC recruiter came to Sierra Canyon. We had a conversation then and he invited me on the visit. I was really excited to take that visit; I had no offers and knew it would be a big opportunity. When the weekend game, I talked to a lot of their coaches and got to meet their new coaches. I got to understand their student life, saw their facilities, and went into the skybox at the Coliseum. In the skybox, Coach (Tim) Drevno (OL) told me they were giving me an offer.
Very cool. This summer, have you had a chance to take any virtual visits?
Yes, I did take one with Stanford. It was a cool experience. I am glad I got to see and meet their coaches. It was a cool experience. I got a lot of knowledge about how they operate and what it is like being a student-athlete there.
You kind of touched on this a minute ago, whenever the campuses may open up, are there any visits you’d like to take?
As I am talking to all the coaches who have offered, I tell them I would love to visit. I want to meet all of these coaches in-person. I do want to visit every school that has offered.
With the season in California pushed until early January 2021, what are the goals you have set for yourself over the fall months?
I want to play as soon as possible. But this extra time has given me an opportunity to better learn the offense and how the team runs. It is a blessing and a curse. Being a transfer student, this extra time has benefited me greatly.
Kenji, thank you for your time today. I enjoyed going over your play on the field and recruiting process off it. Wishing you great success with your extended offseason workouts this fall.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Swanson family; Kenji Swanson at USC and Sierra Canyon