D.J. Swearinger, a former Gamecock, joins an XFL team
Former South Carolina safety D.J. Swearinger is going back to play football professionally after not playing in a league since 2020. The 31-year-old has officially signed a contract with the XFL’s DC Defenders, according to Gamecock Central.
Due to the move’s anticipated nature in recent weeks, Swearinger had to postpone his yearly charity basketball game two weeks ago. On March 18, the seasoned defensive back even made a return suggestion on his personal Twitter account.
“My son expressed his desire for me to resume playing football,” Swearinger shared on social media. I mentioned that I also wanted to play. XFL texted me to say they needed me.
The DC Defenders are one of eight teams in the newly revived professional spring league, for those who are unfamiliar with the XFL. A large number of former college athletes as well as NFL and CFL (Canadian Football League) players make up the league.
Swearinger, who was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, last played for a professional team in 2021, when he was a member of the Indianapolis Colts practice squad. He played his final game with the New Orleans Saints in 2020.
He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders, and New Orleans after spending two seasons with Houston. He was a member of the Colts in 2021, but he never played in a game.
Swearinger joins a Defenders team that presently leads the XFL in record. The former Gamecock finished with 425 career tackles, 4.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 43 pass breakups, and 14 interceptions in 110 NFL games. In 73 of those games, he also started.
DC still has three games left in the regular season. ESPN or ABC will broadcast each of those games.
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2024 NFL Draft: Spencer Rattler, a former top quarterback prospect for South Carolina and Oklahoma, says: A much-heralded recruit became a pillar of two power-conference programs’ collegiate football programs.
Quarterback Spencer Rattler of the Gamecocks has called it quits after a long career that included notable stops at Oklahoma and South Carolina. He filed for the 2024 NFL Draft after the team finished its 5-7 campaign. With much fanfare, the top quarterback prospect in 247Sports’ Class of 2019 arrived, but flash soon gave way to grit for a signal-caller who faced many obstacles in his career, especially this past season.
Rattler said in a statement, “These last two years have been the best times of my football life by far.” The bonds I’ve forged with my teammates, our collective victories, and the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful city of Columbia and the greatest college football fan base every weekend. I would like to express my gratitude to Coach Beamer for bringing me to South Carolina and allowing me to join this family. He has a unique vision and level of support for this program and its participants.”
Rattler was much hyped when he arrived at Oklahoma from Pinnacle High School (AZ), but as a freshman, he sat behind Jalen Hurts. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, he validated expectations in his first year as a starter with a 3,000-yard passing performance. That proved to be hard to duplicate as he was benched halfway through Oklahoma’s 2021 season in favor of Caleb Williams, who went on to win the Heisman Trophy at USC.
The apex of a new beginning with South Carolina was a three-game winning streak that ended at the end of 2022, which included back-to-back victories over Tennessee and Clemson as well as a barn burner in the Gator Bowl. Rattler passed for 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns during that time.
However, as a unit, South Carolina’s offense was among the most sacked in the FBS this year. Rattler finished the season with another 3,000 yards, but statistically speaking, it was difficult to win games. He was forcing plays, for better or worse, on numerous occasions. Overall, he finishes his college career with 10,807 yards passing and 77 touchdowns.
Rattler had an outstanding 2020 season with the Sooners, leading many to believe he would be selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Rattler’s stock has dropped amid a dismal conclusion to his tenure with the Sooners and the reboot in Columbia, South Carolina. But there are still good reasons to think he will be called at some point over the course of the draft weekend.
As it happens, according to CBS Sports NFL Draft expert Ryan Wilson, Williams is projected as the top overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, while Rattler is most likely to be selected in the third round.
“I actually like Rattler a lot and think he did a good job for South Carolina with little around him (with the exception of WRÂ Xavier Legette),” Wilson said. “He might end up a Day 3 guy, but I’d take him in Round 3. Excellent arm and athleticism, but a tendency to force too many throws in an attempt to make plays late, which frequently leads to turnovers.”
Finding a quarterback for the upcoming fall season should be Beamer’s top priority now that Rattler has left for the NFL. Luke Doty, the Gamecocks’ backup quarterback who played in a few games last season, is a strong contender. Beamer may also choose to use the transfer portal to find a starter who is ready to play right away. Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson is a possible candidate to take that position; he is anticipated to visit the transfer portal when the window opens the following week.
