Louisville's Swigert verbally commits to Boston College

LOUISVILLE  Not much seemed right or fair for Bob Swigert this football season.

Louisville High School’s star quarterback helped the Leopards handle North Canton Hoover in the second week of the season with five touchdown passes. The next week against Hoban, Swigert’s season as he knew it was essentially over. Swigert was hurt on the fourth play of that game and played the following week against Canton South. But a lisfranc injury to his foot, which required surgery, ended his senior season.

But not his future.

Swigert verbally committed to play football at Boston College next season. He will have the opportunity to play baseball there as well. Swigert, who maintains a 3.9 grade-point average, chose Boston College over Stanford and Michigan.

“I fit in so well with the kids, and the coaches are awesome,” Swigert said. “I got that feeling early it was the right place for me.”

Swigert said he was a bit conflicted, though. He believes he’s the first player from Stark County to attend Boston College on a full-ride football scholarship.

“It took me longer than I expected,” he said. “After visiting all the schools, I knew it was the right one.”

Swigert could have gone to Harvard and played, too. For the Leopards, Swigert played quarterback because that is where they needed him most. However, he is a better fit at receiver, the position for which most colleges were recruiting him.

Still, Swigert completed 71-of-123 passes for 760 yards. His five TD passes against Hoover was a season highlight.

Louisville head coach Paul Farrah said the Eagles plan to use Swigert at the slot receiver.

“It’s a shame Louisville fans only got to see him really play two games playing quarterback the way he can play,” Farrah said. “He showed what he can do against Hoover. It’s just a shame people didn’t get a chance to see him for all 10 games.”

Swigert watched his teammates lose to Marion-Franklin last week in the playoffs. He was on the sideline on crutches and a cast.

“This definitely wasn’t the way I planned my senior season,” Swigert said. “Everything happens for a reason. I had to deal with it and move on.”