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By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
2023
379 SNAPS
34 TACKLES (21 SOLO)
22 PRESSURES
6.5 TFLs
5 PBUs
2 SACKS
2 FORCED FUMBLES
Close to at least 8 or 9 sacks, but falling unluckily to the drone of a close miss or the unexpected pain of a nasty, desperate low block, or a violent brush with a fellow pass-rushing teammate instead of the opposition QB, or suffering one uncalled holding penalty after another by a litany of offensive linemen & their silently betraying friends in zebra stripes, LSU edge rusher Bradyn Swinson transferred to Baton Rouge and the SEC from the Pac 12 and not only belonged, he was the only edge rushing Tiger willing to stand up and deliver wire to wire, game to game....
Leading the team in pressures, Swinson could only finish with 2 sacks to his name due to circumstances which weren't always in his favor or under his control (see above).
Still, Swinson was among our best 2023 defenders because he remained one of two elite pass rushers the Tigers could count on throughout the season, a player who produced each game....constantly stuffing the stat sheet with TFLs (6.5), backed by 5 batted passes / PBUs, and 2 forced fumbles (both arriving on each of his 2 sacks).
Each sack changed games for LSU, creating a positive defensive impact on proceedings against Mizzou and Florida, turning each shootout on its head when Swinson's pair of timely sacks supplied rare 3rd down stops, all while forcing fumbles, smashing the quarterback, and causing the most backfield havoc over 4 quarters on both occasions.
Adding his direct impact on those 2 victories, combined with his team-leading 22 pressures (1 more than Harold Perkins), 2nd ranked 6.5 tackles for loss (trailing only Perkins), and nonstop, unceasing disruption (ranking 2nd concerning pass breakups, 5, & 2 forced fumbles), the Oregon transfer littered the box score with big plays in every game across the schedule, even as he played limited snaps behind Ovie Oghoufo (379 total defensive snaps, 7 games at 30 snaps or less, no more than 46 in any game).......In reality, LSU fans should be alarmed at where this team would be right now without Bradyn's consistent pressures and trench disruption.
Now in 2024, under the coaching of former Broyles Award nominated edge rushing prophet Kevin Peoples, I am very intrigued to see how Swinson will evolve in year 2 alongside Bo Davis' depth-depleted interior defensive line, flanked by the ultimate promise of LSU's young edge rushers, while drilled by the premier edge rushing coach in America.
We shouldn't just witness solid development from Swinson in 2024, we should experience a buffet of pass rushing brilliance from LSU's veteran starter.
Looking to rack up far more than 2.5 sacks, meager numbers by his standards & aims, I have a feeling we will see All-American-esque numbers from #13's wild, frenetic, death-diesel brand of edge rushing....a trench menace of the highest order....all he needs to do is finish off more plays in the backfield, and the young man could make a habit of annually producing double digit sacks & tackles for loss.
A chief, prime, premier disruptor, now in the hands of smart edge rushing & D-line coaches, I am projecting Swinson will be maximized in 2024 and end the season with a flurry of high NFL Draft choice association & top honors from college football's media members.
PROJECTION:
11.5 Sacks, 14 TFLs, 3 PBUs
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
©️ 2024 Uninterrupted Writings Inc, a subsidiary of Uninterrupted Media LLC
Here is another player who could flourish with string edge rushing coaching. We could see a real turnaround if this coaching makes an impact. These guys are so close.