Bradyn Swinson auditions for his professional future this week at the NFL Combine.
He still has his eyes on the program he’s leaving behind, though. When asked who will replace him at EDGE next season in purple and gold, Swinson didn’t hesitate.
“Gabe Reliford,” he said. “I’ve got real big hopes for Gabe. Gabe’s a real hard-working guy. He comes in to work every day, trying to get his work done. He’s competitive, too. Even when I was there, he was competing with me. Gabe is up next.”
Reliford played in 13 games for LSU in 2024. He made 10 tackles and had half a sack backing Swinson up.
Swinson was a team leader on the defensive side, not only with his team-best 8.5 sacks, but also off the field. He’ll leave that part to Whit Weeks.
“That’s my guy right there,” Swinson said. “He’s highly motivated. (We’re) both from Georgia. Whit is going to make sure everybody is on the same goal. I’m pretty sure he’s going to be the captain at LSU next year.”
Weeks led the Tigers in tackles in 2024 with 125. That was good for second in the SEC. In the Texas Bowl against Baylor Weeks left on a cart with dislocated ankle and fractured tibia. At the time of surgery in early January, recovery time was expected to be a few months.
