After receiving a full scholarship offer from Clemson on Monday, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy punter Aidan Swanson verbally committed to Clemson on Monday night.
Swanson, the nation’s top-ranked punter in the class of 2019, was kind enough to speak with The Clemson Insider about his commitment decision prior to sharing the news with Clemson’s staff.
“I’ve been watching Clemson ever since I’ve been growing up,” Swanson said. “You can say I’ve been committed since I was little. It’s a blessing to say that I’m committed to Clemson University.”
“The school is great,” he added. “Academically the university is great, and the football program is the best in the nation, no doubt.”
Swanson previously held a preferred walk-on offer from Clemson, an opportunity he received following his performance at the Dabo Swinney Camp last June.
Clemson special teams coordinator Danny Pearman informed Swanson of his full-ride offer earlier today.
“Just before class, coach Pearman told me to call him,” Swanson said. “He just said we’d love to have you and we’ve had you on our minds since last summer.
“It’s a dream come true.”
Swanson is coming off a visit to Clemson for its junior day this past weekend. He also attended the Tigers’ games against Georgia Tech and The Citadel last season.
“They’ve treated me so great,” he said. “Every time I’ve been up there, it’s always just a great time to be there. The coaching staff, it’s all one family.”
Swanson talked with Dabo Swinney again over the weekend and thinks highly of Clemson’s head coach.
“He said, ‘Hey Aidan, you’re my punter,'” Swanson said. “He said we’d love to have you here, and he said don’t go off and marry someone else.”
“He’s the best guy,” Swanson continued. “There’s nothing bad about him. Everything is positive, and he institutes the family (atmosphere) a lot there at Clemson. He has made that culture all family.”
Swanson was accompanied on the latest visit by his mother, father, sister, brother and aunt.
His mother is a Clemson graduate, and she was overjoyed upon learning of his commitment decision.
“I broke the news to her, and fortunately my dad was with her,” Swanson said. “They were in the grocery store shopping. Right when I told her, she broke down in tears.”
Swanson is thrilled to be a Tiger and looking forward to his future in a Clemson uniform.
“It feels great,” he said. “I’m on top of the world, and I can’t to get there and start off my collegiate career.”
Swanson is rated as the No. 1 punter in the 2019 class by Kornblue Kicking.
As a junior last season, Swanson averaged 46 yards per punt and made 5-of-7 field goal attempts. He also held offers from Nebraska and UCF.
Swanson transferred to IMG Academy from Jesuit High in Tampa, Fla., ahead of his junior year.
He becomes the fourth commitment in Clemson’s 2019 recruiting class, joining Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton safety Joseph Charleston, Calhoun (Ga.) athlete Brannon Spector and Riverdale (Ga.) tight end Jaelyn Lay.