2015 DETROIT LIONS MEDIA GUIDE

64 - TRAVIS SWANSON
Center Arkansas Kingwood, Texas
Year: 2 Ht: 6-5 Wt: 307 Born: 1/30/91
Draft: ’14, R3 (76)-Det
Complete biographical information available on Detroitlions.com.
TRANSACTIONS
‣ ¾ Drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round (76th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft.
PRO
An imposing force along the offensive line, Swanson possesses the versatility to play both the center and guard positions,
and studied under long-time Lions C Dominic Raiola in 2014. Known for his impressive string of 50-consecutive starts during
his time at Arkansas, Swanson checks in with a booming 6-5, 312-pound frame that earned him the title of “the next great
center” from many professional scouts.
2014: Began season in a backup center position in Week 1 vs. New York Giants (9/8) and went on to start five of the 16
games he played in during the regular season. Also started at right guard in the team’s NFC Wild Card game at Dallas (1/4).
‣ ¾ Saw significant playing time at right guard in Week 10 vs. Miami (11/9) as he filled in for injured G Larry Warford.
‣ ¾ Started his first game of the season (right guard) in Week 11 at Arizona (11/16).
‣ ¾ Part of an offensive line effort than allowed QB Matthew Stafford to throw for 390 yards in Week 13 vs. Chicago (11/27).
‣ ¾ Made his first career start at center in Week 17 at Green Bay (12/28).
‣ ¾ Made a start at right guard before leaving the game with a knee injury in the NFC Wild Card game at Dallas (1/4).
COLLEGE
Concluded his college tenure as a Razorback with the second-longest active starting streak in the NCAA Football Bowl
Subdivision ranks, having started all 50 games that he played in as a two-time captain at Arkansas. His consecutive starts
tied the school career-record established by Jerry Franklin (2008-11).
‣ ¾ After being named captain as a junior in 2012, Swanson graded out at 90-percent for blocking consistency, recording
242 knockdowns/key blocks through 24 appearances in his final two seasons. He was responsible for 39 touchdownresulting
blocks.
2013: Named team captain for the second-consecutive season, only the 11th Razorback player to serve back-to-back
captain terms. A consensus First Team All-SEC selection, Swanson started each of the team’s 12 contests as a senior,
tying the school career-record as he extended his streak to 50 consecutive starts. Led a young group of linemen in his final
season at Arkansas to rank third in the nation in the fewest quarterback sacks allowed (eight for minus 75 yards) behind
only Notre Dame (seven) and Toledo (six).
‣ ¾ Helped RB Jonathan Williams pave the way to become the first freshman in SEC history to begin his career with threestraight
100-yard rushing games. The Razorbacks produced a total of eight 100-yard rushing performances that season.
‣ ¾ Led the conference’s offensive linemen and the nation’s centers with a blocking consistency of 90.4-percent, as he
joined Barrett Jones of Alabama (90.4-percent in 2012) and Maurkice Pouncey of Florida (90.3-percent in 2009) as the
only centers in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision ranks to register a blocking grade of 90-percent or better since
the turn of the century in 2000.
‣ ¾ Registered 134 key blocks/knockdowns on 775 offensive snaps, along with producing 19 touchdown blocks for an offense
that reached the end zone 29 times.
‣ ¾ Reached a streak of 301-consecutive pass plays without allowing a quarterback sack.
2012: Earned Second Team All-SEC honors as a junior in his first season as team captain. Led the nation’s centers with
an 89.6-percent blocking consistency grade, totaling 108 knockdowns/key blocks that included 20 touchdown-resulting
blocks for an offense that reached the end zone 35 times.
‣ ¾ Anchored the Razorbacks offense to help the team establish a 3,000-yard passer for the fourth-straight year. QB Tyler
Wilson led the SEC in passing, while WR Cobi Hamilton led the conference in receptions per game and receiving yards
per game.
PERSONAL
Prepped at Kingwood (Texas) High School, where he was rated as a three-star prospect and ranked as the nation’s 33rdbest
offensive guard in the prep ranks. Received first team all-state honors from the Texas Sports Writers Association and
second team accolades from the state’s coaches association as a senior in 2008.
‣ ¾ Named one of 10 finalists for the Greater Houston Area Offensive Player of the Year, and was also the only lineman
among those finalists.
‣ ¾ Majored in sociology at Arkansas.
‣ ¾ Son of Gina and Todd Swanson.
SWANSON’S CAREER STATISTICS
Year Tm G S
2014 Det 16 5
Totals 16 5
Postseason
Year Tm G S
2014 Det 1 1
Totals 1 1
DETROIT LIONS
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