The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Swaim picked in seventh round of NFL Draft by Dallas
05.02.2015 | Football
Tight end gives Longhorns five picks in this year’s draft, most since 2010
2015 NFL Draft Index | Quotes: Swaim on the NFL Draft | Video: Highlights of Swaim
Texas had its fifth player selected in the 2015 NFL Draft when tight end Geoff Swaim was announced Saturday as the 29th choice (246th overall) of the seventh round by the Dallas Cowboys.
Earlier in the day, the New York Giants chose defensive back Mykkele Thompson in the fifth round and Detroit tabbed cornerback Quandre Diggs in the sixth round. New England selected defensive tackle Malcom Brown in Thursday's first round and Philadelphia took linebacker Jordan Hicks in Friday's third round of the draft, which has spanned the last three days in Chicago.
This marks the most Longhorns selected since there were six in 2010. This is also the fifth time in last 10 years UT has had five or more.
Swaim is the first Longhorn to be drafted by Dallas since 1999 (WR Wane McGarity, fourth round) and only the second since 1987.
The last UT tight end to be chosen was Jermichael Finley, going in the third round of the 2008 draft to Green Bay.
Swaim, who spent the last two years at Texas after transferring from Butte (Calif.) College, was excited to hear his name announced by the Cowboys.
"It was just relief," Swaim said. "That's the biggest thing. The past four or five hours have been pretty intense. No matter where you go in the draft, it's exciting, and I'm just glad to have the opportunity to be where I am and excited to get to work for sure."
A native of Chico, California, Swaim was primarily a run blocker at Texas, though he did post 10 receptions for 70 yards in 2014 when he was an honorable mention All-Big 12 choice. The 6-foot-4, 250-pounder played in all 26 games during his two years, including 22 starts, and his 19 straight starts at the end of 2014 led the offense.
"Swaim is a physical, tough guy who just really plays hard at tight end and special teams or wherever he's needed," head coach Charlie Strong said. "He's a guy that's going to leave it all on the field and he's willing to do whatever is necessary to be successful."
Swaim will see some familiar faces in Dallas as former Texas players Donald Hawkins, Tony Hills and Chris Whaley are on the current roster. Swaim, Hawkins and Whaley were teammates in 2013.
"It will be cool to play with the guys that I've known and have a relationship with," Swaim said. "That will be a nice way to transition for sure. After that point it will turn into business and I'll get to work."
Longhorns Draft Notes
• The Longhorns have had 335 players chosen on draft day and had at least one player selected in 77 of the 80 NFL Drafts, including a record 76 consecutive (1938-2013).
• With Jordan Hicks' selection Friday, the Longhorns have had at least two players taken in the first three rounds in 13 of the last 15 NFL Drafts. New England selected Malcom Brown in the first round Thursday. In fact, at least two Longhorns have been drafted in 51 of the last 54 years, dating back to 1962.
• With Mykkele Thompson's and Quandre Diggs' selections in the fifth round Saturday, Texas has had seven defensive backs chosen in the last six drafts. In addition, there have been at least two defensive backs taken in four of the last 10 years with the last occurrence in 2011 with Aaron Williams (second round, Buffalo) and Curtis Brown (third round, Pittsburgh).
• The Longhorns five selections in this year's NFL Draft are the most since they had six in 2010. This is also the fifth time in last 10 years UT has had five or more selections.
• Despite not having a player selected in the 2014 draft, seven Longhorns ended up signing as free agents. Six Longhorns from that class were on NFL rosters last season including Carrington Byndom (Carolina), Donald Hawkins (Dallas), Trey Hopkins (Cincinnati), Jackson Jeffcoat (Washington), Adrian Phillips (San Diego) and Chris Whaley (Dallas). The six first-year players on NFL rosters was tied with Baylor and Oklahoma for the most among Big 12 schools and tied for 21st in the nation.
• Texas has had 44 players selected in the first round with three of those Longhorns — Kenneth Sims, 1982; Earl Campbell, 1978; Tommy Nobis, 1966 — earning the honor of being the first player selected overall.
• This is the fourth year in the last seven the Longhorns have a first-round draft choice including Kenny Vaccaro (2013 by New Orleans), Earl Thomas (2010 by Seattle) and Brian Orakpo (2009 by Washington).
• Texas holds the NFL record with 17 players selected in the 1984 draft.
• On Thursday, Malcom Brown (New England) became the fourth player under Strong to be drafted in the first round during the last two years. Last season, Louisville had three first round picks in safety Calvin Pryor (18th overall to New York Jets), defensive end Marcus Smith (26th overall to Philadelphia) and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (32nd overall to Minnesota). Strong was the head coach with the Cardinals from 2011 to 2014. Since 1995, Strong has coached 13 players selected in the first round and 31 taken in the first four rounds.
