Michael Swift

Height:
6-3
Weight:
237
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Apex
Major:
Kinesiology

A versatile and physical athlete whose perseverance to play college football is the source of much admiration … Earned current roster position as a walk-on in the fall of 2016 and has since become an integral part of the program, first as a linebacker, then as a tight end and now as a defensive end … Made all three moves over the course of a two-year span and handled each acclimation in stellar fashion … Has also had to battle a myriad of injuries, including a season-ender in 2018 … Despite being held out of contact work during the spring, is expected to be cleared to open the 2019 preseason camp officially listed on the depth chart as a top reserve at one of the end slots … Could also experience action on special teams depending on defensive workload … Suffered a serious neck injury early during high school career which slowed medical clearance process for collegiate competition … Originally made Pirate squad as a walk-on after enrolling at ECU as a freshman, but was initially denied permanent roster slot because of the aforementioned injury (before finally being cleared after subsequent MRI testing) … Because of the medical setbacks, was granted an extension of eligibility by the NCAA in the spring of 2019.

2018: Played in the first five contests (North Carolina A&T, North Carolina, USF, Old Dominion and Temple) of the season before being sidelined by an injury for the remainder of the year following an appearance against the Owls (Oct. 6) … Tallied five overall tackles (2 solo), all occurring on rushes from his end position … Established a career-best with three stops during the opener vs. the Aggies … Picked up single hits against the Tar Heels and Monarchs.

2017: Appeared in the final nine games (Connecticut, USF, Temple, UCF, BYU, Houston, Tulane, Cincinnati and Memphis) … Credited with four tackles (one solo) ... Posted a pair of stops each in outings vs. the Knights and Bearcats … One of the hits against Cincinnati resulted in lost yardage (-2) … All four tackles were on rushing plays.

2016: Played in two games – Western Carolina (season opener) and Connecticut – but did not record any statistics … Was also award-winning member of scout and developmental unit … Assisted in preparing the Pirates’ offense on a weekly basis while playing the opponent linebacking scheme … Defensive recipient of the prestigious Rick Bankston Memorial Award as the program’s most outstanding scout teams player … Participated in walk-on tryouts during the spring and was extended a roster invitation for the fall.

High School: A two-year varsity starter and team captain for coach Joe Kilby at Apex … Was a two-way starter as a senior, but racked up impressive defensive totals for the Cougars … Credited with 66 tackles, 22 TFLs, six sacks and one forced fumble to earn second-team all-conference honors … Also responsible for three safeties … Tallied 25 tackles, 11 TFLs, pair of sacks, a forced fumble and a recovery during junior campaign … Suffered a torn neck ligament as a freshman, but battled back to earn starting position on school’s junior varsity squads as a sophomore … An outstanding student who was a two-time NCHSA Scholar-Athlete selection and an academic all-conference honoree.

Personal: Full name is Michael Steven Swift, Jr. … Born at Raleigh, N.C. … Son of Mike and Julie Swift … A kinesiology major who earned ECU Honor Roll inclusion for classroom work during the 2016 fall semester, 2017 spring semester and 2017 fall semester … A Dean’s List selection during the 2018 spring semester … Hobbies include weight lifting and fishing.