University of Connecticut Athletics
Ian Swenson Glad to be Back
4/18/2022 10:37:00 AM | Football
STORRS, Conn. – At the end of the 2021 UConn football season, linebacker Ian Swenson wasn't at all sure he would be returning for his fourth year of eligibility.
After all, he was about to graduate with his degree in applied and resource economics, he had already given five years to the UConn program, and the team's struggle to find any success was making it difficult to enjoy the game. If anything, Swenson was leaning toward moving on.
One meeting with new head coach Jim Mora, however, and Swenson was off the fence and back in shoulder pads.
"I met with Coach Mora and it was one of the most important meetings I've had since I've been here," Swenson said. "It was just his aura, just being around him. You know that he knows what he's talking about. He asked me where I wanted to be, and he said he could put me on the right track to get there.
"After that, I fell in love with the new staff and what was going on here."
What's going on is clearly a buzz about the football program as the Huskies work toward the Spring Game on April 21 and the upcoming 2022 season.
"The players can feel the energy around here," Swenson said. "It's been really great."
Swenson is coming off a solid season in 2021, in which he played in all 11 games, recording 73 tackles, four for loss, one sack, four quarterback hurries, and two pass break-ups. He had a career-high 13 tackles against Middle Tennessee State and 12 against Houston.
In his three-year UConn career, the Evanston, Illinois, product, has played 35 games and made154 tackles, 10 for loss.
"I think I can bring versatility to the defense," Swenson said. "I can play inside, outside, blitz, cover .. whatever they need me to do. Obviously, we have a lot of work to do, but this season is going to be so much fun."
And, as a fourth-year player, he brings maturity and stability to this year's edition of the Huskies.
"He's very mature, incredibly smart and always looking to get better, always looking to help his teammates," Mora said. "In terms of his skill set as a linebacker, what I love is first his patience, then his decisiveness when he sees where the ball is going – and he gets there quick.
"Ian is smooth, athletic, smart, he works hard and he's dependable – just a great kid. I think he's really a positive influence on this team and we're lucky to have him here."
Blue/White Showcase – April 21, 2022, 6:30 p.m. – Morrone Stadium
The Blue/White Showcase is set for Thursday, April 21, at Morrone Stadium.
"We hope we can get a lot of people out just to see where we are as a football team – the energy and to see what we're doing offensively, defensively and on special teams," Mora said. "It's going to be a lot of fun.
"I can promise that if you're in the audience, it will be fun, it will be revealing, it will be interactive. We'll have chances for people to win some stuff and get close to the players. If there's kids around afterward and they want autographs or run around the field – I love that kind of stuff, love that energy."
