Note: The following appears in the App State football gameday program.
According to Head Coach Dabo Swinney, the greatest success stories come with time, similarly to a meal cooked in a crockpot. The meal will not be ready in seconds, or even minutes, like food placed in the microwave will be, but rather, it takes hours for the food inside to fully absorb all of the flavors and transform into the final product.
Clemson punter Aidan Swanson is a testament to this “Swinneyism.” He has absorbed all of the “flavors” of Tiger football, taking advantage of every resource, and after three years of being in the program, he was ready to deliver.
Swanson, in his sixth and final season, is third in school history in career punting average (42.5) on 138 punts. He also holds the school record for consecutive games averaging 40+ yards (17), ahead of Dale Hatcher’s previous record of 12 in the 1980s, a record Swanson set in the 2023 season.
“It feels like I’m in my third year,” admitted #39 on how fast the time has flown by and how surreal it feels to enter his final season in Tigertown.
“Time really does go by so fast. It hasn’t hit me yet, but I’m sure once we get rolling, it’ll hit me.”
A Tampa, Fla. native, Swanson grew up in a house divided. His father graduated from Florida, and his mother graduated from Clemson. When asked about his decision to enroll in the Upstate, he said he always wanted to go to both, but was leaning more towards Florida as a child because of witnessing the Tim Tebow glory days.
But as he grew older and witnessed the program’s success, Clemson became the clear choice for Swanson. Watching the star power of players like Tajh Boyd and Deshaun Watson sold him on how great it would be to wear a Tiger uniform.
“There are so many resources and aspects at Clemson, including P.A.W. Journey, the people that are on staff and the people who make Clemson what it is. The small college town feel is a real thing, and it’s unique. There’s no place like it.”
Swanson is a P.A.W. Journey ambassador, and he praised the ways the program develops players holistically for successful lives outside of football. He has completed two spring internships with Synnex, both of which P.A.W. Journey helped him acquire.
“From microinternships to meeting people, making connections and community service, P.A.W. Journey really makes you a man and prepares you for what life is like after your football days are over.”
Swanson also spoke on mentorship and how he has utilized mentors to improve his mental game, a huge component to his success. He attributes much of his growth and development on the field to his mentality. He explained that technique is very important, but the mental side is even more crucial to on-field success. He praised various members of Clemson’s staff for this change, specifically Mental Performance Coach Milt Lowder.
“Milt Lowder has had a big impact. Two seasons ago was my first as a starter, and he helped me keep that mindset and not stray away from it last season.”
That advice helped Swanson earn Clemson’s specialist-of-the-year award in the 2023 season.
Another piece of advice that Swanson has taken to heart is from Swinney.
“Talk to yourself rather than listen to yourself.”
That ties heavily with the mental game that Swanson prioritizes. He emphasized the way a player talks to himself is so important, and it has been a game changer on the field.
“Your body and your mind are always going to tell you to stop, but you have to push through and hype yourself up to give yourself positive feedback.”
Swanson also spoke on how his teammates have helped shape him into who he is today, and how the bonds made through Clemson football are ones that stick for life. Clemson is a place and community where people truly want to come back to time and time again, because it is home, and the football program is no exception.
“I love keeping up with guys, especially special teams wise. Two weeks ago, I saw Amari Rodgers…he was here for our scrimmage, so I was catching up with him. Guys always come back.”
Swanson touched on his excitement for the upcoming season and how he believes this team has an exceptional bond that fans should be excited for.
“The specialist group and this team as a whole…we’re very tight knit. I’ve experienced something like that in the past with certain teams and certain specialist groups, but this year is unique.”
After earning a master’s degree in December, Swanson plans to give the NFL a shot. He has received great feedback and is ready for what lies ahead because of the ample resources and preparation gained at Clemson.
Swanson always has, and always will, be all in. He embodies the cliché statement that all good things take time. Just like a meal in the crockpot, Swanson has absorbed every practice, every lift, every early morning and every team meeting in order to become the football player and man he is today.
