TAMPA – Two-way standout Kennard Swanson officially signed his National Letter of Intent to attend the University of South Florida on Wednesday, head coach Willie Taggart announced. Swanson played his high school football at Lake Gibson in Lakeland, Fla. under head coach Keith DeMyer. Recruited as a fullback, Swanson becomes the 24th signee in USF’s 2013 class, which includes 21 new signees, an early enrollee and two junior-college transfers.

“Kennard is a tough, hard-nosed player, who brings a lot of athleticism and physicality to our program,” Taggart said. “He will be a great asset to what we’re trying to build on the offensive side of the ball. He was a young man who was passionate about USF and really wanted to be here, so we’re excited to have him join this class.”

Swanson, a 6-0, 245-pouner, was a versatile four-year letterman, who was an all-state and two-time all-county selection. He posted 34 carries for 172 yards (5.1 ypc) and eight TDs during his final two seasons at fullback and tallied 197 tackles, 31 sacks and 37 TFL during his four seasons on defense. A 6A first-team all-state selection on defense as a senior, Swanson carried the ball 21 times for 107 yards (5.1 ypc) and two TDs, while posting 63 tackles, 10 sacks and 12 TFL. He helped the Braves to a 10-1 record and a berth in the regional quarterfinals.

Swanson was a first-team all-county selection on defense as a junior, posting six TDs rushing, while averaging 5.0 yards per carry, and tallying 42 tackles, nine sacks, 11 TFL and an INT. He played strictly on defense as a sophomore, notching 68 tackles, 11 sacks, 14 TFL, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries and added 24 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery as a freshman.