Overlooked 2018 Arkansas LB Hunter Swoboda Updates Southeast Missouri State Visit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

One of the top high school football teams in the state of Arkansas during the 2017 season was Bentonville West. The Wolverines rapid rise to prominence also made the squad one of the biggest surprises of the season. After a 3-8 record in 2016, the school’s first year fielding a football team, the Wolverines stormed out of the gates posting a 9-3 mark finishing the year ranked No. 10 in-state. One big change on the roster from Year 1 to Year 2 was linebacker/tight end Hunter Swoboda.

Swoboda has firmly entrenched himself into the hearts and minds of Arkansas high school football fans as one of the more productive players in the state. From the start of his varsity career with Joe T. Robinson in 2015, he has been a force coming up with 119 tackles, 29 solo, 7 tackles for a loss, two sacks, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery as an end/outside linebacker. He pushed his game forward with the Senators in 2016 once again notching a team-high in tackles with 136 adding 14 tackles for a loss, two sacks, five passes defended, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble. His role expanded on offense at tight end pulling in 18 passes for 220 yards with five scores.

During the offseason, Swoboda’s family moved from the Little Rock area to the Bentonville enrolling Hunter at Bentonville West. The town, team, jersey, role, and schemes may have changed but Swoboda’s production did not. Once again earning a MVP kind of spotlight, the 6-4, 225 pound, talent had 83 tackles, six tackles for a loss, two sacks, and two fumble recoveries in stats posted through 10 regular season games against 7A competition. His responsibilities on offense focused more on run blocking ending the season with three receptions for 21 yards.

Teams showing interest in Swoboda includes Iowa State, TCU, Vanderbilt, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, and Arkansas with offers from Air Force, Georgetown, Southeast Missouri State (SEMO), Southern Arkansas, and Army. SEMO hosted Swoboda over the weekend laying the groundwork for serious consideration when the time comes for the 2018 prospect to verbally commit and sign with a school.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I got the inside scoop on Swoboda’s visit to SEMO.

*Click link for previous Hunter Swoboda interview updating season on the field, Arkansas unofficial visit, and preview of visit to Air Force.

Interview

Hunter, how did the visit to SEMO go?

“The visit went really well. It was awesome to finally meet Coach Tuke (Tom Matukewicz – head coach) and Coach (Joe) Uhls (tight ends) in person and really talk football.”

What all did you do?

“I got to see the stadium, practice fields, locker room, and most of the campus.”

Did you get to talk to the coaches?

“Yes. I got to talk to the coaches, Coach (Ben) Blake (offensive line) and Coach Uhls were awesome, and it was great to talk to Coach Tuke.”

What did they talk about in regards to your recruitment?

“I’ve already been offered a scholarship to play football there so the visit was a great way for me to check out the school.”

Did you learn anything new about the program?

“I thought it was an awesome atmosphere especially for it being Thanksgiving break.”

Who went with you?

“I went with my dad and my younger brother.”

What was the lasting impression of the visit after seeing the facilities and meeting the coaches?

“SEMO is a really cool place and the coaches are nice. I’m just happy I got to visit. It’s going to really help me decide where I need to spend the next four years. That’s kind of the point of the next two months, to see as many schools as I can in order to choose the best place for me.”

Have you picked up any new interest?

“Dartmouth.”

Do you have any other visits set?

“Right now, I don’t have any other visits set yet.”

Hunter, thanks for your time today and good luck on the recruiting trail.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credits: Swoboda family; Hunter (right) and brother, Tucker Swoboda (left) at SEMO