Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Both have moved on since their two seasons together at North Marion (Fla.) High in 2014 and '15.

The head coach, Stephen Field, is now director of high school relations/NFL liaison at Louisville. Field's star player those two seasons, receiver Freddie Swain, is entering his sophomore season with the Gators.

Before their first game together three years ago, Field reminded Swain often of his potential. Swain was slow to believe at first, but in the first game of his junior season, Swain's eyes opened to the possibilities.

"That's when he kind of really started to see,'' Field said. "I told him that was going to happen to him and how he was going to be successful and dominant. Seeing the expression on his face, 'yeah, Coach, you were right.' And he how took that and worked even harder. He was very humble about it. He didn't turn into a guy who was uncoachable. He wanted to be coached more."

Swain is now one of Florida's most promising young players as the Gators prepare to face Michigan on Saturday in the season opener. Field left North Marion after the 2015 season and spent last season on Florida A&M's staff. He tries to touch base with Swain at least once a week to check on his progress.

The reports are promising.

"I expect big things from him,'' Field said. "He runs good routes. He catches the ball at its high point and he catches with his hands."

The Gators have high expectations for Swain, too.

The absence of suspended junior receiver Antonio Callaway has created more questions about the Gators' offense. Callaway has been the team's top playmaker the past two seasons but he won't be anywhere near AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, unless he buys a ticket.

While fans and media are left to speculate whether it will be Feleipe Franks, Luke Del Rio or Malik Zaire throwing the ball Saturday, Swain has developed into a receiver who could factor heavy into the plans based on his performance in preseason camp.
 
Swain is healthy and has a renewed sense of what he must do to perform at this stage the way he did at North Marion as a Class 5A All-State selection his senior season.

"He's going to be a big piece in what we do,'' Gators head coach Jim McElwain said.

Swain is in a similar position as in the summer of 2016 when he traveled to Nike headquarters in Oregon to participate in "The Opening," Nike's annual combine featuring the nation's top recruits.

Swain's future Florida teammate, Tyrie Cleveland, and Auburn's Kyle Davis were also there. Both had a higher profile than Swain. Still, Swain stood out and was named to the All-Tournament team alongside Cleveland and Davis, who was named the offensive MVP.

Swain raised eyebrows when he ran a 4.54 40-yard dash at the combine and told reporters that former Oregon star receiver De'Anthony Thomas, now with the Kansas City Chiefs, gave him a message when they bumped into each other at the event.

"Keep balling. You're the truth,'' Anthony said.

Swain arrived at UF and during his first camp toiled in the shadows of Callaway, Cleveland and newcomer Dre Massey, a potential breakout player for the Gators a season ago before he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the season opener.

Still, it didn't take the 6-foot, 194-pound Swain to stand out the way he did at "The Opening." He caught at least one pass in each of the first four games, including touchdown catches against Kentucky and Tennessee. However, Swain's progress was slowed by a torn labrum in his right shoulder and he caught only two passes the rest of the season. He underwent offseason surgery and missed spring camp.

However, Swain has bounced back strong.

"I'm just ready to compete,'' he said. "I like to go out there and handle my business and let my actions talk."

At the center of Swain's renewed outlook is his mental approach. Following one of the hottest practices of camp last week, a drained Swain said he planned to go take a shower and then study film. He said a year ago he would have probably just gone home to rest.

"I was just playing and really didn't even know much about the offense," Swain said. "My head wasn't in the playbook. I was trying to look at it on the road and come out here and try and execute it.

"That wasn't working for me."

Swain refused to blame the shoulder injury on his lack of production after the quick start, but it would be naïve to discard the pain and discomfort totally. The Gators are deep at receiver, which helps offset some of the concerns over losing Callaway.

Cleveland, Massey, sophomore Josh Hammond and senior Brandon Powell form a strong core, and true freshman Kadarius Toney is a player McElwain said needs to touch the ball. Toney has the athleticism to take snaps at quarterback, running back or receiver.

Swain should definitely be among that group on Saturday. Field kept close tabs a year ago when Swain got off to a hot start. His parents, who attended North Marion games while he was coach and got to know Swain and his family, often ask how Freddie is doing. So does Field's daughter, Le'ah.

"He is special to me and my family,'' Field said. "He just kind of became part of the family."

What was it that prompted Field to push Swain toward where he is now?

"Basically his goal to be great and his desire,'' Field said. "He had a work ethic that is second to none. He put his hard hat on and took care of business and made it happen."

Six days to go until Florida-Michigan. Six days until a healthy Swain has a chance to make a difference like the start of his freshman season.

As for who might be throwing the ball to the receivers on Saturday, Swain is like the rest of us.

"I ain't got one clue,'' he said.