Interview: Offers Being Dropped for 2023 Texas OT Robert Sweeney
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
You don’t tug on Superman’s cape and you don’t mix it up with Highland Park left tackle Robert Sweeney. At 6-6, 260, Sweeney has the size and developing skills to stone cold punch any end stopping them on their rush, the swift feet to pull and get to the second level, and approaches each block with a sense of urgency all offensive line coaches love to see. That love for Sweeney’s game has drifted beyond the Dallas area with offers extended from Florida State, Maryland, and Penn State.
As word of Sweeney’s talents against 5A Texas defenses spread, the big man will get to take his skills to an Under Armour All-American regional this spring showcasing against the best of the best. For an update on how he is pushing his game to the next level preparing for the season and the camp, Sweeney stopped by the RNG Lab for a first-round interview.
Interview
Robert, throughout your sophomore season you were showing your versatility as a lineman lining up at both left and right tackle. For any given game, how did you prepare during the week?
Preparing during the week, I watched film and worked to better my abilities on the field. If I did what I was supposed to, it would work itself out.
With the offensive philosophy, from one play to the next could you flip from left to right tackle, strongside to a weakside, how did that work?
It depended on who they had at end, and sometimes it was the play design. My coaches wanted to maximize my abilities against the defense.
Regardless of where you were lining up, you were a gardener planting jokers in the ground. Did you track your pancakes and knockdowns during the season?
Stats are not a major thing for me, I care more about getting the win. If I can do that, get the knockdowns during a game, those are good stats at the end of the day but I care more about the win.
You had a lot of them. I am curious. If you had to guess, about how many knockdowns and/or pancakes were you getting per game?
Some games, depending, I’d estimate about 10 or eight. In one game, I had eight in the first half. I ended up with 13 total in that game. I was going good in that one, so I was counting as I was going along.
Your quick feet show up in your pass-pro and when you pull. How have you developed that part of your game over time?
When I was a kid, I did not have fast feet. My dad would work with me in the driveway on improving my footwork. I’d jump rope and do the ladders. My dad has been a big part of my development as a football player.
Another thing that I really like about your game is your use of hands. You lock in, and even do some push-pull to get a defender on the ground. How have you developed that part of your skillset?
From my trainer, Coach Hawkins. He has put in a lot of work with me. There is a big increase in skill from last year because of him and working with my dad. With my training and weight lifting over summer, I added 55 pounds. The extra weight bettered my game. Now I can do the flashy things like using my hands and swiping defenders.
Throughout the 2020 season, which areas of your game showed the most growth?
The mental part of the game showed the most growth. From the beginning of the season until about two or three games in, that is when I became more aggressive while retaining my composure. I showed large improvements from the middle to the end of the season on everything.
What was the brotherhood of the Scots’ offensive line like in 2020?
The seniors really helped with my confidence; Jack Leyrer, Sam Morse, and Will Gibson. Jack and Will are going to Stanford, and Sam is going to SMU. That was motivating and teaching time for me working with them last season. I credit them for some of my development last season.
Each year, at every level, guys are working on fine-tuning their game. What are you working on already to improve your technique?
More footwork, even though, like you said, I feel my footwork is pretty good. There is always room for improvement. I am using my hands more. My hands are higher. They were low at the start of the season, but I got higher with them at the end of the season. And, I am putting on more size.
What are you doing in the weight room to add more power?
A whole bunch of bench press, rows, power and hang cleans, squats, and deadlifts.
What goals have you set for yourself to accomplish over the winter and spring months?
My goal is getting better by at least one percent or more every day. Gaining more weight is another goal. That will be beneficial on the offensive line. I want to spread the weight out; I am still just 15-years-old. There is more room for development in all areas for me.
Are there any camps coming up you may attend?
Yes, I am going to the Under Armour All-American camp in Dallas.
Nice. Let’s talk recruiting. How many offers do you have?
I have three offers: Penn State, Florida State, and Maryland.
Which program was the first to offer you?
Florida State and Penn State was a week later.
What was it like receiving that first offer from a big school like Florida State?
The first offer was really exciting for me and my family. To get an achievement for my work, it was a big deal for me and my family.
This summer, are there any visits you may take?
I am going to wait and see what happens. I have no idea right now.
Robert, it was great learning more about you and your game today. I appreciate your time and wish you continued success with your offseason workouts.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Erik Carlson/Sweeney family; Robert Sweeney