Texas A&M WR Ryan Swope Joins The Fan's Draft Prospect Parade
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) - The Pittsburgh Steelers need a wide receiver. Is speedy, dependable Ryan Swope from Texas A&M the answer?
Swope, San Jose State OT David Quessenberry, and Nevada safety Duke Williams appeared Sunday with Troy Clardy on 93-7 The Fan.
Swope's last two quarterbacks at Texas A&M were Ryan Tannehill (currently starting for the Miami Dolphins), and Johnny Manziel (the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner).
"They're two different quarterbacks, but they have so much ability," Swope said. "They just know the game in different kind of ways. Tannehill's a guy who knows the playbook inside and out. He can step back, sling the ball, and go through his progressions. Then you've got Johnny, who stands back there and has great arm strength. But when he gets flustered or sees an opening in a defense, he can just take off and run as effectively as a running back. He's a guy that has playmaking ability and really helped us win football games this year."
Manziel extended plays with his scrambling ability, much like Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. Would Swope like to play with Ben?
"Heck yeah! He's a phenomenal athlete and a great competitor. I bet he'd be a great teammate to work with," Swope said.
Swope turned many heads with an eye-popping 4.34 40-yard dash, second-fastest at the NFL Scouting Combine. While scouts may have been surprised, Swope wasn't.
"I knew what kind of speed I had, and I just had to showcase that ability at the Combine. To be completely honest with you, I was not shocked with my time. I was confident that I would go and post a 4.3 or something in that range. I was confident in the coaches I was working with and the people who put me in that position to go in there and turn some heads," Swope said.
Swope also gives a scouting report on A&M teammate Luke Joeckel, a likely top overall pick this year's draft, and tells what facet of his game he takes most pride in.
Texas A&M WR Ryan Swope
Also joining Troy Clardy on his Sunday show was San Jose State OT David Quessenberry, who played all five offensive line positions at the Senior Bowl.
"I played all over the place," Quessenberry said. "Left tackle to right tackle, you name it, I played them all. That's something that caught people off guard, because we had a week to learn the offense. With me playing all those positions, knowing what to do, knowing the right calls, and being successful really garnered some attention. I was excited about how it went, and was glad I got the opportunity."
As for the possibility of bringing his position flexibility to Pittsburgh?
"Oh, I think I would look really good in a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform! The tradition they have in Pittsburgh, the quarterback they have, it's just a special place in the National Football League, and I would love to be able to represent that organization," Quessenberry said.
San Jose State OT David Quessenberry
Duke Williams is a hard-hitting safety from Nevada, and in a deep draft at that position, he reveals how he stands apart.
"I'm a complete safety," Williams said. I'm not limited to one thing. Some safeties can only play in the box or at the line of scrimmage, and other safeties can only cover. Well, I can do a bit of both, and I take pride in being versatile."
Williams has visited with the Steelers, and he sees a nice match with the black and gold.
"My style of defense fits into the Steelers' mode. They've had the number one defense in the league for the past couple of years, so it's like a perfect fit for me. I had a wonderful visit with Mike Tomlin. He likes my game. He told me I kind of remind him of Ryan Clark, and any time my name and Ryan Clark's name are in the same sentence, it's great," Williams said.
