Sidelined by injury, Taevion Swint returns hungry to prove his explosive talent to UCF and compete for crucial carries this season.
An injury sidelined Taevion Swint in his freshman year, and he utilized his redshirt as a result. Now, in spring practice, he is excited to return and prove himself to the UCF community.
Swint, the former four-star from Osceola High School, is a part of a deep running back room. He's competing for lead reps against Central Arkansas transfer Landen Chambers, Louisville transfer Duke Watson and his teammate, Agyeman Addae.
Returning from injury, Swint said he has a lot to prove — not only to himself, but to the community.
"I got a lot to prove to the whole UCF community, my community where I come from," Swint said. "And all of us really do got a lot to prove. Even other running backs this year because they're gonna get a lot of burn this year, too. So, I can't wait."
The running back room lost the majority of its production when Jaden Nixon and Myles Montgomery's eligibility expired, and they chase their NFL dreams. Nixon and Montgomery combined for over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Despite their departures, Swint said he learned a lot watching them from the sidelines and picked up techniques from their play styles.
"So, just watching them and just getting little pieces from their game, it just helps me out. It helps my game out a lot, and some of the other guys in the back."
The former Cowboy recorded 1,778 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns in his senior season, leading his team to the state championship game. Swint rushed for over 100 yards 23 times in his high school career.
Although Swint has not taken an in-game snap for the Knights, his ability is evident, and coach Scott Frost highlighted his speed and big play potential as an X-factor for the team heading into next season.
When spring practice began earlier this month, Swint said returning to the field gave him a different kind of excitement.
"On the field, when we finally had our first day out on the field, it just gave me a different type of spoke. You know what I'm saying?" Swint said. "I'm ready to go. You smell that grass? You smell the grass. I'm ready to go."
As UCF continues to hold spring practices, and fall camp is happening in several months, Swint is eager to get on the field and prove himself after redshirting his true freshman year.
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