Jackets reel in another Swilling

If bloodlines are a relevant recruiting metric, Georgia Tech had a good Monday.

Cornerback Tre Swilling announced Monday night he is following in the footsteps of his father, Tech great Pat Swilling, and committed to Tech’s class of 2017.

Swilling’s tweet that he will become a Yellow Jacket read in part, “With very careful consideration, I have decided to commit to Georgia Tech and continue the Swilling Legacy that my father and uncles have started. There was no other place that could give me more motivation than playing in their shadows and working to stand out as they did in their time.”

Swilling and his brother, senior running back Bruce Jordan-Swilling, who both live in New Orleans, had been predicted by experts to commit to LSU.

Jordan-Swilling confirmed to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Monday evening he was “still deciding” and would not reveal his intentions until today or Thursday.

“I’m going to kind of put the pressure on ( Jordan-Swilling) a little bit,” Swilling said. “I think that he’s just really just trying to weigh the options, but I’m sure that he’ll probably make that jump soon. I mean, I’ll get him to. That’s my job.”

Tre Swilling, a 6-foot, 180pound defensive back, will follow his father’s legacy under coach Paul Johnson and Pat Swilling’s former teammate, defensive coordinator Ted Roof.

The Swilling brothers’ father, the former New Orleans Saint and College Football Hall of Famer, starred at Tech from 1982-1985 and was an All-American in his senior year.

Tre’s uncle, Darrell Swilling, played at Tech as did Ken Swilling, Pat’s cousin, an All-American defensive back who played on the Jackets’ 1990 national championship team.

Pat Swilling finished his career as Tech’s leader in sacks (23) and tackles for loss (37) and still ranks fourth in both categories. Swilling also set a school record for most sacks in a season (15) in 1985.

Tre Swilling’s top choices were Alabama, LSU, Michigan, Florida, Florida State and Georgia Tech, according to 247Sports.

Although the Swilling brothers are seniors at Brother Martin High School, they’re not twins or even biologically related. Formerly Bruce Jordan, Jordan-Swilling became a member of the Swilling family through choice.

In 2014, he was formally adopted by Pat Swilling and wife Robin.

According to the New Orleans Clarion Herald, while he was trying out for an AAU basketball team that Pat Swilling was coaching, a 13-year-old Jordan-Swilling’s talent caught the football legend’s eye. Jordan-Swilling became friends with Swilling’s children, frequently staying with them on weekends.

Ultimately, the Clarion Herald reported, after the death of his mother, Jordan-Swilling moved in with the Swillings full time and became a family member in name upon adoption.

Jordan-Swilling (6-feet, 215 pounds), who is also being recruited by some schools as a linebacker, rushed for over 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns as a junior. His top five colleges were Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia and Georgia Tech, according to 247Sports.