Interview: La Mirada 2017 SS Shaun Swayne Preparing for Important College Camp Circuit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

With every senior recruiting class, most players have three rounds or opportunities to showcase their skill set. The first round is their junior season, the second round is the offseason camp circuit before their senior year, and then finally their senior campaign. Life paths, scholarships, and high school football legends will be made and lost through all three rounds with the sands of the hour glass quickly dropping away.

Across the country, Class of 2017 recruits with a true passion and desire to play at the next level are preparing to attend college camps in hopes of attracting offers or attract the offer to their dream school that has not been extended yet. For one Class of 2017 recruit, safety Shaun Swayne, he has momentum behind him heading into the crucial one-day college camp circuit.

La Mirada High School started the 2015 season out with a rough schedule dropping games to St. John Bosco, Mater Dei, and San Clemente but rallied to win 12 straight games posting a 13-3 mark winning a California CIF championship. The Matadores swept through the Suburban League in the Southern Section topping Campolindo 27-3 for the state honors.

Along the way to glory, Swayne helped bolster the Matadores secondary coming up with 42 tackles, two interceptions, and blocked a punt. The 5’11”, 185 pound, talent is taking advantage of the offseason playing in 7×7 tournaments helping draw even more interest his way. Some of the schools wanting to see more of Swayne includes Colorado, Wyoming, UNLV, San Jose, Arizona, San Diego State, Eastern Washington, Arizona, and USC.

Before Swayne hits the college camp circuit to answer any lingering questions next level coaches may have about him, I caught up with the Los Angeles/Anaheim area native to get the inside scoop on his offseason workouts, camp schedule, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Shaun, you had a solid season at safety in 2015. What do you think are your strengths on the field?

“I’m smart and I make big contact. I consider myself a field general out there, I keep everything in check. I have great instincts. I can come down hill, read the receiver, and go sideline to sideline or hash to sideline to make plays.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of your junior season?

“I was a Telegram Dream Team selection at safety.”

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

I just want to get better and get my first offer. I want to win another CIF championship and build a better vibe with my team.”

Are you going to play any other positions next season other than safety?

“Maybe running back, maybe receiver. Hopefully I’ll get to return some kicks and punts. I’ve been asking if I can so there is a possibility for both.”

What are you working on in the offseason to prepare for the upcoming camp season?

“I’m working more on my speed. Speed is a big factor for me. I’m working a lot on man-to-man coverage. I’ll have to cover some of the elite wide receivers we will face this season. Man coverage is important for our team. Really, just working on my speed and strength.”

What is the best 40-yard dash time you’ve posted?

“My best is a hand-timed 4.6.”

Which camps are you going to coming up?

“I’m trying to go to the Nike Oakland regional and some college camps like Fresno State, San Jose State, Washington, San Diego State, and USC.”

What camps did you go to in 2015?

“I went to the Drew Brees Passing Academy camp, the Coach Sark (Steve Sarkisian – USC) camp, Washington, and UCLA. I think that was it.”

Which camp did you perform your best?

“At the Coach Sark camp. I put on my best performance there.”

What did you do that made you standout?

“We played in a 7×7 tournament. The quarterbacks that I faced did not think I was as explosive because I was big. I had six picks in the tournament and a lot of pass breakups. Everything fell into place that day. The coaches took me into the facility and showed me more of their campus. I got to talk to the coaches more because of my performance.”

Which schools are showing interest in you?

“Wyoming is one of the big ones showing a lot of interest. Colorado, Eastern Washington, UNLV, San Jose State, SDSU (San Diego State), Arizona, and USC – they are talking to my dad.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits so far?

“I visited UNLV when my 7×7 team went to Vegas for the Pylon Tournament.”

How did the UNLV visit go?

“It went well. It was good. I talked to their recruiting coordinator (Cedric Cormier). He said they would keep in touch. They are going to come out over the spring to talk to my coach about me.”

You listed out a lot of camps you may attend but some of those schools come down into the LA area to see California talent. Do you have any other unofficial visits planned this offseason?

“I’m trying to make it to Fresno State. My dad wants me to look at some Ivy League schools like Penn and Columbia. Hopefully I can make it to the east coast and see some of those schools. I’m going to San Jose State and SDSU for sure.”

Are you playing any spring sports for La Mirada?

“No. I’m focused on football and 7×7.”

What is the name of your 7×7 team?

“I’m playing with Frat Boyz and Real Speed.”

How are your teams doing so far?

“With Fat Boys, we are doing well. I just joined Real Speed for the Pylon Tournament. We lost in the quarterfinals to Rhare [sic] Breed.”

What is your GPA?

“3.3”

Have you taken your ACT or SAT yet?

“No. I’m taking my first test in May.”

What do you want to major in while in college?

“Criminal Justice.”

What are your favorite subjects in school?

“History and English.”

Shaun, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: mercurynews.com; No. 5 Shaun Swayne gets a tackle vs. Campolindo

Photo credit: Swayne family; Shaun at UNLV

Photo credit: Los Angeles News Group; Shaun Swayne pre-snap.