Signee Q and A: Jovan Swann
One of the highlights of Stanford's 2016 recruiting class was the quality and quantity of prospects they signed along the defensive line. The Cardinal wrapped up its defensive line class in January with the addition of Indiana standout Jovan Swann, who pledged to Stanford on the heels of a strong senior season that included 15.5 tackles for loss.
Swann recently spoke to Cardinal Sports Report about how he has handled the change at defensive line coach and some bigger picture recruiting takeaways.
CSR: You've been signed with Stanford for a few months now. I know they've sent you the HUDL stuff and the workouts. How has all that been going - is it kind of what you expected?
Jovan Swann: It's been going well. Since they've ended their spring ball I've been watching and reviewing the film, trying to get the playbook down. It's a lot to digest, but Coach Reynolds said (there's going to be) a lot more help as they get closer to summer and get in the workout with him. Mostly I've been just working with what they provided me as far as strength and conditioning workouts, just knocking those out... Because all I've heard is that the more you do, the more help it will be as soon as you get on campus with the team.
CSR: You're kind of in a different situation because the coach that recruited you, Coach Hart, retired, and obviously Coach Reynolds came in. What was your reaction to Coach Hart's departure, and have you gotten to know Coach Reynolds at all?
Swann: Yes, I actually have. I had a chance to get out there and visit the school again over my spring break and I got a one-on-one with Coach Reynolds and got to know him, he got to know me. He's a very down to earth coach and I'm definitely looking forward to working with him just as much as I was Coach Hart. It just builds on the reason why Stanford is so unique - each individual on the team is willing to work with you and I definitely saw that in Coach Reynolds and I can't wait to get out there.
To speak about the position coach change, it hit home because I had just committed and signed with Stanford University. And then to hear that my position coach was going to be retiring was something you definitely have to expect with college football, but (it was) something that wasn't clear. But now that I've talked about it with my parents it doesn't really matter. I committed myself to a school and not a coach and that's why everything is alright in my book. We're on to something different, something new. It's no different than me going to Stanford University with a great coach, in Coach Hart. So all is well and I'm pumped and so excited to get to work in June.
CSR: The coaches have been saying publicly that there might be a chance for one of the incoming freshmen defensive linemen to make a difference this year with Aziz Shittu and Brennan Scarlett leaving. What sort of communication have they had with you about playing time next year? Is that something that has ever come up?
Swann: We've definitely talked about playing time and thinking long-term, for the next four to five years, that's what I signed for. I'm not shy about redshirting and I'm not shy about playing. It's all about how acclimated I can get this summer heading into camp in the fall, what adjustments I can make to be the best I can be and listening to the coaches - they'll place me where they see me fitting, if it's redshirting or if it's in the rotation. I'll just go with where the coaches place and put my 110 percent in as I signed over to them.
CSR: Shifting gears to the recruiting process as a whole, when you think about it, were there any surprises for you in the process? Like, two years ago if you had not known how it went, would you have encountered anything surprising? Was there any unexpected part of the process?
Swann: Definitely what's unexpected is the schools that are coming in unannounced and dropping offers to you. That's what shocked me and surprised me. You just keep your eyes open for the transparency and the offers that are coming your way. I had some schools come in and not even really know who I really was on and off the field and dropped me an offer just because of a school that had dropped an offer previously. You just have to be aware of that stuff. That's where my list was cut down short to the schools that really keyed in on me and got to know me as a person.
As far as the recruiting process goes, you have to keep your eyes peeled for everything that comes your away. And enjoy it, and don't rush it. That's all the advice I really have about it.
CSR: I know you talked to a bunch of different coaches - what was the funniest recruiting pitch you ever heard?
Swann: The funniest one would have to be all of the coaches trying to relate me and brother (who plays for Indiana) and trying to get us to go the same school and envisioning us on the field together.
Other than that... it's pretty much all business. A couple of jokes and laughter here and there. But that was the funniest one - "I know mom would appreciate it if you and your brother were on the same field playing on the same side of the ball once again like you guys did in high school." That was kind of unique to think about. But that's about as funny as it got.
CSR: You took a lot of visits - what was the most impactful experience on a college trip?
Swann: The most impactful was definitely getting with a player host and touring the campus with a player host and not just some hired individual whose job it is to take you around and appease you as you tour the campus. At a couple of schools I was allowed to do that. That really opened up my eyes to what the schools would truly be like, the ins and outs about the university that I visited that really helped me out in making my decision and what to look for as I went on to other visits.
CSR: Did you ever experience any negative recruiting toward Stanford?
Swann: I would definitely say I did hear some negative recruiting, but that's only because of how rigorous the admissions process was. Some of the schools were speaking poorly about how hard it is, the process that they make their student-athletes go through to get accepted into the university. It's what definitely pulled me to want to pursue the admissions process just so I could prove my doubters wrong, prove my haters wrong. It kind of motivated me - even if Stanford wasn't my final decision, I wanted to take on that process. But that's basically the only negative recruiting against Stanford I was really pushed toward and prodded at.
CSR: Finally, out at Stanford there's a lot of recognition about the Indianapolis Colts having such a strong Stanford flavor with Andrew Luck and several players there. You're up in Indiana - is that something that people up there discuss? And if so, what sort of impact does the Stanford connection to the Colts have on you guys up in Indiana, if any at all?
Swann: If we didn't have the Colts I think Stanford University was going to be my decision because the opportunity presented itself and I saw myself fitting there. But the fact that Andrew Luck, Henry Anderson, David Parry, Griff Whalen and Coby Fleener all played with the Colts and were on the team, that definitely was unique to go downtown and watch the games knowing that I had an offer standing with Stanford University.
As far as recruiting and talking to the school, it's not really too big of a deal. I know it's unique that Stanford produces that great of talent and gets them on to the next level but I think it's just sheer coincidence that they all played for the Colts and I'm getting recruited by Stanford University."