BRISTOL, Conn. — Junior running back D’Andre Swift wasn't the first running back selected in Friday's NFL Draft, but he was the second.
Detroit gobbled up Georgia running back with the 35th overall pick -- the third pick of the second round. Swift was thought to be the top running back in the draft but Kansas City grabbed LSU's Clyde Edwards-Helaire with the last pick in the first round on Thursday.
Swift is the 34th Georgia running back to be selected in the draft.
Swift learned of his selection from his family home in his hometown of Philadelphia, Pa. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the draft is being located at ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, Conn.
Swift was a Maxwell Award semifinalist after eclipsing 1,000 yards rushing for the second consecutive season. After piling up 1,218 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground in 2019 to earn All-SEC Coaches First Team honors, he became just the fifth Bulldog in history to have at least 1,000 yards in two seasons. Swift finished his career seventh on Georgia’s all-time rushing list with 2,885 yards.
For his career, Swift started 17 games, including 11 in 2019. One of the Bulldogs’ permanent captains last season, he owns the Georgia record for highest average gain per rush (minimum 400 attempts) at 6.56 yards. His career mark ranks second in SEC history, trailing only Auburn’s Bo Jackson at 6.62 (1982-85).
Swift is the 15th Georgia player drafted by the Lions and second in as many years, joining tight end Isaac Nauta, who was selected in the seventh round last season. Nauta is one of three former Bulldogs on the Lions’ active roster, including 2009 first-overall pick Matthew Stafford and defensive tackle John Atkins, a 2018 undrafted free agent. Coincidentally, Swift’s draft position (35th overall) is the same slot where former teammate Nick Chubb was selected by the Cleveland Browns in 2018.
The NFL Draft will conclude Saturday afternoon with the final four rounds, beginning at 12 p.m. Live coverage of the draft will be available on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network.
