Coming into this season, Tigers defensive end Bradyn Swinson had only a handful of sacks in four seasons of college football. In three years at Oregon, Swinson had three sacks in 30 games and in 12 games with the Tigers last season, he had just two sacks.
But Swinson looks like a different player this year as he has seven sacks in six games, tied for fifth most in college football. He has a chance to become LSU’s single-season sack leader. Arden Key had a dozen sacks in 2016.
The Georgia native has already set career highs for solo tackles in a season, tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles ties a career high.
So what’s the difference? Swinson says it’s all about his preparation.
“When you winning at practice, you are consistently getting better at practice, and you consistently rep that thing over and over and it just gets easier for you, so on gameday everything feels way easier and I can play fast,” Swinson said.
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Swinson credits edge rushers coach Kevin Peoples and defensive line coach Bo Davis for teaching him good practice habits.
The SEC recognized Swinson’s hard work by naming him the league’s defensive linemen of the week. He had two sacks, 2.5 tackles for a loss, knocked down two passes and had a career-high eight tackles.
Swinson said the biggest play of his career happened in the first quarter when he brought down Ole Miss running back Henry Parish Jr at the line of scrimmage on 4th and 1.
Swinson admitted he didn’t know what the play call was on defense, he just reacted to Parish getting the ball. Coach Brian Kelly said Swinson has a habit of not getting the play calls.
Swinson instinctive play is leading an LSU defense that’s playing much better than last year. But Swinson says they are not satisfied, because they still have more tough opponents coming up.
“We trying not to get a big head about it,” said Swinson.
If he sticks with his current approach, it could lead to Swinson setting a new single season sack record at LSU, helping the Tigers reach the college football playoffs and hearing his name called early in the NFL draft.
But it all starts on the practice field.