Swayze Bozeman

Linebacker / Southern Miss

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Swayze Bozeman:  I am 6’2, 226, and my best forty was a 4.50.   

Alex Khvatov:  How did you prepare for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Swayze Bozeman:  I was able to go to my old high school.  I was able to train in their weight room and on the field.  I also had a weight room at my grandmother’s house.   

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Swayze Bozeman:  I played basketball, golf, and ran track.  I ran all of the sprints and all of the sprint relays.  I also did the triple jump and long jump.

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Swayze Bozeman:  I played RB, receiver, safety and corner.  I grew up as a RB.  Junior colleges were looking at me to play RB and safety.   

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Swayze Bozeman:  I only had offers from two junior colleges.  I had some D-II and D-III schools looking at me.   

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at a junior college? 

Swayze Bozeman:  I went to Copiah-Lincoln junior college.  I went to a D-III camp and ran a 4.5 forty.  At the camp, coach from Copiah-Lincoln noticed me.  I played two seasons there.  I played safety the first year and LB the second year. 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you transfer to Southern Miss? 

Swayze Bozeman:  I had multiple offers.  I had offers from Tulane, Louisiana-Lafayette, Old Dominion and Rice.  My path led me to Southern Miss.  Coach Hopson was building a great culture.  His focus has been on faith, family and brotherhood.  It wasn’t just about football. 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your junior campaign?          

Swayze Bozeman:  I transferred in the spring.  I had to learn a new playbook.  I had to start from the bottom and work my way up to the top.  By the time we got to the summer and the fall, I had the playbook down.  I went from third string to a starting position.  I got my first start against Alabama.  I played every snap in the game.  I got better.  I can play any linebacker position.   

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from your team this upcoming season? 

Swayze Bozeman:  I am excited about this season.  We will be an explosive team.  We make lots of big plays.  We will make a run for a conference championship.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Swayze Bozeman:  My football IQ.  I feel I am the smartest player on the field.  I am always in the film room studying the opponent.  I give great effort.  My speed and versatility.   

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Swayze Bozeman:  I need to have a quicker burst to the hole.  I have a general idea of what the defense will do from film study.  I need to be more aggressive to the hole.   

Alex Khvatov:  Who named you Swayze?    

Swayze Bozeman:  My great uncle named me Swayze.  His son was Swayze, and he passed away.  My parents decided to go with the name. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Swayze Bozeman:  I had two highlights from last year.  Sacking Tua was one of them.  Against UTSA, I had 10 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

Swayze Bozeman:  There is always someone out there who is better than you.  You have to prove yourself every day.  Don’t be complacent.   

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Swayze Bozeman:  Christian McCaffrey.  He is a man of great faith.  He is a great RB.  I was a RB my entire life. 

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

Swayze Bozeman:  LB Hayes Maples, LB Santrell Latham, and LB Racheem Boothe.  We have a strong LB group.  DL Jacques Turner and DB Ky’el Hemby.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Swayze Bozeman:  Almost every player from the Alabama roster.  Tua was amazing.  He is smart.  He has a high football IQ.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a LB?

Swayze Bozeman:  A LB has to know the scheme.  He is the QB of the defense.  He has to have a high football IQ.  I have kept a 4.0 GPA. 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Swayze Bozeman:  The relationships with my teammates.  It is cool that a bunch of people from different places can come together.

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Swayze Bozeman:  I think my faith.  I never have a bad day.  Jesus is always on my side.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Swayze Bozeman:  I love to play golf.  Lately, I have been shooting in the high 70’s or low 80’s.  I like to go fishing and play the guitar.  I like to be outdoors. 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Swayze Bozeman:  My major is in exercise science.  I want to go to a chiropractor school.   

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Swayze Bozeman:  Faithful, humble, leader, hardworking, and intelligent.