BYU freshman tight end Ryner Swanson runs a route during spring camp March 08, 2024, in Provo. The four-star recruit has already made quite a splash with coaches and teammates since arriving to Provo. | Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo
BYU’s newest hotshot tight end is seemingly straight out of central casting, which is somehow fitting, considering he grew up not far from Hollywood.
Meet 17-year-old Ryner Swanson, the 6-foot-4, 245-pound, self-described “surfer dude” from Laguna Beach, California, who has almost everyone associated with the BYU football team buzzing as the Cougars wrap up 2024 spring football practices this week.
“I have the goal to play, just like every freshman, and make an impact before my mission. I believe I am on a good track. Obviously I am not saying I am going to start. I got a lot of work to do. I am not perfect at all.”
BYU tight end Ryner Swanson
He’s got the muscular build, the wavy blond hair, the aw-shucks attitude, the self-deprecating style — “I’m not really that cool,” he says, “I am no Chase Roberts. Now, that guy is cool.” — and the optimism of youth that will surely gain him boatloads of fans in Provo this fall.
And he can also run like a gazelle, block relatively well for a freshman who should still be in high school, and catch the football on the reg, while in stride, so much so that coaches are already saying he should be able to make an immediate impact in September.
“Ryner’s got a chance to be special,” said BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick.
Head coach Kalani Sitake, new tight ends coach Kevin Gilbride and even linebackers coach Justin Ena have also noticed, all predicting big things for the prototypical Southern Californian who doesn’t turn 18 until June.
“You’ve already heard us talk a lot about the freshman, Ryner,” Sitake said last week…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/hang-dudes-freshman-tight-end-215423322.html
Author : Deseret News
Publish date : 2024-03-29 21:54:23
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