Ten minutes with Showcase MVP – Kade Swenson

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton's [player_tooltip player_id='1113064' first='Kade' last='Swenson'] was one of the many defenders who stood out last Saturday at the Minnesota Spring Showcase. The junior performed so well he was named one of the defensive back MVPs on the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swenson got together with some teammates to make the trip to Plymouth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I met a lot of people that I play (against)," Swenson said. "I went there with a few of my teammates, and we all had fun. I showed what I could do on the field and through my numbers."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I wanted to see what I could do testing-wise and compare it to other people at my age level who are trying to play football in college, too," the Rebels' defensive back said. "I wanted to see how I could compete."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swenson feels the one-on-ones were vital when it came down to being considered for one of the showcase MVPs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I am good at man coverage, and that is what we did a lot of the time. The coaches helped me with getting off the line. That helped me get an edge against the receivers."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swenson usually plays the left corner during actual games, but during some matchups, he will follow the other team's best receiver. Where he feels he is strongest makes him a prototypical man-to-man corner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"One of my strengths is my off-the-line quickness. I have a good jam off the line. I think I also have a good ability to stay with the receiver. My forty-time isn't the best, but when I line up against a receiver with any speed, I feel like there is no receiver that can get a step on me. I think I can hang with everyone I go against."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His skills in man coverage are not his main focus this offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I want to become a better zone defender," Swenson told prepredzone.com. "At DGF, we play a lot of zone, so I need to work on my ability to play my whole zone and see the field better."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swenson is a three-sport athlete for his high school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We lift as a team two times a week before school. I played basketball, and right now, it is track season. I didn't play a lot of varsity (basketball) this year. I played more JV and mostly sat on varsity. I am a rebounder and defender. In track, I run the hurdles, high jump, and run some relays."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swenson is actually a four-sport athlete. The fourth was borne out of an off-season training opportunity that has become more than just training.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"A couple of years ago, a guy who went to high school with my mom – a boxer – posted some stuff on Facebook, and I talked about it with my mom. At first, I wasn't going to do any fights, but I was going to work on my hands. I have been training there for a while and have had two fights. I think boxing has helped me with my hand speed and knowing where to place my hands. It helps me with my mental toughness, too." If Swenson continues to improve and perform as he did two Saturdays ago, he will have more than a fighting chance to continue playing football at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Showcase numbers:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>40-yard dash - 5.00</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shuttle - 4.89</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Broad jump - 8'5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>L Drill - 7.71</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->