Interview: Another Big Season Ahead for 2021 California OLB/OL Ryland Swarthout
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There once was a pervasive saying in football, that guy is a “football player.” The expression was used for a player that would line up wherever the coaches put him and got after it at the highest of levels. That notion was once translated from the high school game to the college ranks with programs ready to coach up said player as they see fit into their scheme. College coaches looking for a true football player with five-star determination and an unbreakable spirit need to check out Class of 2021 San Clemente athlete Ryland Swarthout.
True to the saying, Swarthout put his team first lining up wherever the Tritons’ coaches needing him succeeding along the way. Colliding against top California competition, Swarthout earned second team All-South Coast League honors at left tackle a year ago. Driving it home, the 6-2.5, 214-pound, football player got nasty in the trenches against Division 1/2 defenders impressing so much opposing coaches awarded him All-League honors as an undersized standout.
Adding to who Swarthout is as a football player, his athletic abilities were needed on defense… as one might accurately guess, Swarthout got after it. As a two-way player, and playing end at the varsity level for the first time, Swarthout tallied 42 stops, 23 solo, with a tackle for a loss, a sack, five quarterback hurries, batted down three passes, and picked up a loose pigskin.
When the 2020 season gets going, Swarthout will once again don the do-everything hat playing in the trenches on offense and on defense at end and outside linebacker. The dual roles will allow college programs to evaluate him as a potential tight end and/or outside linebacker.
In an RNG first-look interview, Swarthout stopped by the Lab for a detailed discussion on all that he does on the field.
Interview
Ryland, you were a two-way player last season for the Tritons. Overall, how did your junior season on the field go?
My junior season was not what I was expecting after I put a lot of work in during the offseason. I had a good year, but not on the level I wanted. I know I made my mom and family proud, but did not make myself proud with my play overall. My team nominated me as a team captain as a junior – that was huge for me. I made good plays last season and made a name for myself; I had so much fun. Last year was the most fun year I have had playing football and this year will be 100 percent different. What I have been working on will make a big difference this season.
Offense line may not be your key spot on the field, but update us on all that you were doing on that side of the trenches.
Last season I was playing left tackle and rotating in at guard some. My coach would tell me to put a guy on his ass at guard; it worked. My freshman year I played center; I have played everywhere on the offensive line. With my experience, I can play all the positions. I am not a tight end but I do run routes with receivers; I have great hands and great speed. I work on that, because who knows what I will be doing next year or in college?
Did you prepare in the 2019 offseason as an offensive lineman?
On offense, I was training with Lance Scott as a center. That was almost all I was doing last season; I was being recruited for that spot. I got my technique down, and I still do it every day by myself or with Coach Scott. That is something I want to do that for my team. LaCharles Bentley (Saints and Browns) is a high-quality offensive lineman I watch to learn more about technique. I watch his videos and try to perfect what I am seeing him do. If a school wants to put 60 pounds on me to play center, I will do it. I love using my speed and flying around but I also love pancaking guys. No matter what, I am just happy being on the field.
You shinned playing end on defense for San Clemente. How did you see your overall talents improve last going against D 1/2 competition?
Defensively, I worked a lot on my get-off and stance. This offseason I am working on my hands. Last season I leaned in more last year and did not play with that much technique. My junior year was my first year playing varsity at end. My coach liked me there with my speed, and that is where I stuck. That is where I have been working this offseason. My coach likes what I have been doing there this offseason. I have cleaned everything up.
How has that dual-role helped you improve your game as a defender?
Playing tackle and guard has helped me with being a defensive end and outside linebacker. I am being recruited as that hybrid end/outside linebacker who can drop and rush; that is what I want to do in college. With the experience I am reading both sides quicker, better, and reading tendencies. Playing both ways makes me more intuitive with my game. I see their tendencies and I know what they are thinking on different downs and distances. I pay attention to the small details, which helps my game a lot.
You just touched on this, to fill it out. When the 2020 season gets going, where all are you lining up?
You will see me going both ways again. I am not sure if I will be at outside linebacker or not. My coach has not seen my speed this offseason. Whatever coach wants me to do, I will do it. I am fast, strong, and powerful. I will go through someone, drop, blitz, or play safety. I will play any position. People ask me what position I play; they think I play outside linebacker. When I tell them I played left tackle last season, they are shocked.
Going deeper on another subject you touched on already; what all have you been working on with your game as a defender this offseason?
This offseason I have been working a lot on my get-off, edge rush, getting low, getting separation, dropping into coverage as a linebacker and learning all my coverages and schemes. I study our schemes and other defenses. I studying nightly going over Cover 2, 3, 4, and 0. Hooks, curls, corners, deep quarters, I am learning all of that and still picking it up. Last night I was up for an extra hour taking notes on it.
To prepare for the two-way role this season, what have you been doing in the weight room to add more power and strength to your game?
At our school they love squat and bench, I love them too. My last squat max a year ago was 415 and I just repped 405 six times on squat. For bench, my max was 300, but I just repped 300 three times the other day. I love those lifts, but I also love doing power clean and there is a hex bar that I use. I like doing full body two-hour workouts. This offseason I have been working on my ankles, keep them strong, and stretching is big for me. I keep my legs strong for a good motor and focus on my glutes, hamstrings, quads for speed.
You mentioned your speed has improved over the spring and summer months, what have you been doing to improve that part of your athleticism?
Ladders, sprints, sleds, pulls, lateral movements, cone drills, and jump rope.
Let’s cover ground on recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
Weber State is showing a lot of interest. I am in really close contact with them. Army has been in a lot of contact and there are D-II and D-III schools reaching out. I am looking forward to the season to show all of these schools what I have been doing this offseason.
Which schools have offered you?
I have two offers; Benedictine and Puget Sound.
Have you taken any virtual visits?
Yes, I took one with Army.
That’s cool that you got to take a virtual visit with Army. What did they show you, what did you do during the visit?
They showed me throughout the campus and went inside the history of the school – that school is full of history. I saw the weight room, all their facilities, their indoor facilities, and I met the coaching staff.
That sounds like a great visit. When campuses do open up again, are there any visits you’d like to take and/or any that are tentatively planned?
There are a lot of schools that I’d like to visit. Really, any school that is interested in me I’d like to visit. Any school that wants me, I want to show them who I am and how I will fit in their program. Some of the schools I’d like to visit are Duke, USC, and Oregon State, but all that depends on how this season goes. I’d love to check out Oregon State. Any school that loves me, I want to check them out.
Circling back around to you mentioning this a few minutes ago. At what position would you like to play in college?
I see myself as a fast-mobile outside linebacker playing D-I ball. That is the dream.
I’d like to close going into the classroom with you. What is your cumulative GPA?
This is kind of a long answer. My cumulative GPA is a 3.4, but I am a 4.0 student. At the end of my freshman year I had a 3.9 GPA. During my sophomore year my mom passed away. During my second semester of my sophomore year, things went down with my grades. I had more C’s then. Everyone was there for me and understood what I was going through at school. They were all very supportive and understanding. Last year I was getting back to it, but it was more uphill for me. During my second semester of my junior year, I busted my ass. That was my best semester. I realized if I wanted to make it happen, I need to make it happen. My grades were good. A 3.8 is good, but you have to push yourself. I got it done with all A’s. I have all A’s now. I am trying to make my mom proud.
Ryland, I enjoyed getting the interview in with you and wish you continued success this offseason pushing your game to the next level in preparation for your senior year.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Swarthout family; Ryland Swarthout