Note: The following appears in the Pittsburgh gameday football program.
Will Swinney is, as the old adage goes, a chip off the old block. A spitting image of his father, Clemson Football Head Coach Dabo Swinney, the senior wide receiver for the Tigers is named after his dad, whose given name is William, and like him in so many ways. Sure, Will talks like Dabo, smiles like Dabo and has the same naturally cheery disposition as Dabo, but what really ties the two together is their shared outlook on life. “Blessed and grateful” is how Will described it when sharing his thoughts and feelings surrounding his Clemson playing career, and not taking anything for granted and appreciating each opportunity that comes his way have the 22-year-old positioned to follow in his father’s footsteps.
“I’ve been blessed to have so many great teammates and coaches who have guided me on this journey,” said No. 22. “It’s such a fun thing to be a part of, and Clemson is the most special place there is.”
Having lived in Clemson since 2003, when he was just a boy and his father was named the wide receivers coach for the Tigers, Swinney has a special appreciation for what the Clemson program has become, as he had a front-row seat while witnessing Coach Swinney build his team into a powerhouse. Swinney considers the storybook process fit for a movie script, and knowing all about the hard work and dedication his father has put into metaphorically directing and producing the Clemson football “blockbuster” is the driving force behind his appreciative attitude.
“I have so much appreciation for all that it’s taken to get here. It speaks volumes on the leadership my dad’s brought to the program, the culture that’s in place and all of the great people he’s surrounded himself with.”
Never sloughing off a Clemson victory and always making sure to celebrate it, no matter how big or small, Swinney has certainly experienced his fair share of winning since joining the program as a walk-on in 2017. Swinney’s prep career saw him serve as a valuable wide receiver at nearby Daniel High School. Although he has continued to suit up as a wideout for the Tigers, Swinney has made a name for himself at Clemson as one of college football’s most reliable holders.
Consistently getting the job done in handling snaps and positioning the football just right on extra points and field goals, Swinney remembers his debut as the Clemson holder, the 2017 season opener against Kent State, like it was only yesterday. Perhaps an even greater milestone for Swinney occurred the following year, when he scored his first career touchdown on an eight-yard shovel pass versus Louisville. All of those memories and more, including winning the national title to cap off a perfect 15-0 showing in the 2018 season, constitute an incredible Clemson tenure for Swinney, who has cherished every moment of it.
“My Clemson experience has been everything I thought it’d be and even more,” said Swinney. “It’s been awesome in every area of my life, from the academic and social sides to how I’ve been able to grow as a leader and, obviously, the football side and the success we’ve had on the field.”