"A Heat-Seeking Hammer with Play-Reading Eyes and Punishing Power"

Colton Schwayer

@ColtonSchwayer

5'10, 180lbs, Class of 2030

Owen J Roberts HS, PA

Colton brings a fierce downhill attack to the linebacker position, pairing hard-hitting power with the vision to track the football and get himself into the action. He loves delivering a clean, hard tackle, but his game starts before contact ever happens. His eyes help him read the play, his instincts help him pick his path, and his competitive fire sends him charging toward the finish. Whether he’s working inside or holding the edge outside, Colton wants to shut down the run and make the offense earn every yard. That combination of physical play and growing football IQ gave him a dynamic way to make his mark as a freshman.

At inside linebacker, Colton reads the guards to help uncover where the offense wants to go. He understands that following the right movement can lead him to the football sooner, giving him a chance to meet the runner before the play gets rolling. Outside linebacker calls for a different approach, and he's learned to protect the edge while recognizing when to chase. Holding that outside contain takes discipline because charging toward the first sign of movement can leave a runner an escape route. Colton is learning how to bring his aggressive style without giving up the ground his defense needs him to protect.

His freshman season finished with 105 total tackles, including 37 solo tackles and 13 tackles for loss, along with one sack, one forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries and 10 quarterback hurries. That production shows how many ways he found to get involved, from cutting down runners behind the line to making the quarterback feel him closing in. He also stayed alert when the football hit the turf, giving his team opportunities to take possession. Colton approached each game with a fresh focus, leaving previous performances behind him and concentrating on how he could help his team that day. He wasn’t chasing yesterday’s numbers when there was another opponent to prepare for and another game to help win.

His biggest improvement was reading his keys and figuring out where the ball was going. That growth gave his physical tools a clearer direction. Seeing the right clue helps him spend less time sorting through traffic and more time getting to the runner. It also helps him recognize when the action in front of him is trying to pull him away from the play. For a linebacker who loves contact, learning when and where to attack makes that fierce approach even more effective. Colton is developing the patience to trust what he sees and the confidence to go finish once he recognizes it.

His performance against Perkiomen Valley became the biggest moment of his football journey so far. Colton had 16 total tackles, including one sack, 2 tackles for loss, and 3 quarterback hurries, earning conference Defensive Player of the Week honors and his team’s MVP of the Week recognition. He made himself a factor against the run and in the passing game, showing how his pursuit could affect more than the ball carrier. Those honors gave him a memorable reward for a performance built on finding the football and staying involved until the play was finished.

Moving to outside linebacker for the first time brought his toughest adjustment. Colton had to learn a new view of the offense and understand how to attack from a different spot. He handled it by studying the plays, listening to his coaches, and taking each snap as it came. That willingness to learn helped him keep moving forward while the position became more familiar. He didn’t expect every answer to come immediately, and he trusted the guidance that could help him play faster and with greater confidence.

Colton’s offseason grind includes speed and agility training with a personal trainer, along with lifting multiple days a week under the guidance of a former college linebacker and personal coach. Wrestling and lacrosse help keep his body conditioned while giving him more opportunities to compete. Wrestling demands balance, leverage, and the ability to keep battling through contact, while lacrosse keeps him moving and reacting. Those demands fit well with what he wants to bring back to the football field. His goals are to get bigger, stronger, and faster so he can turn his preparation into greater results for his team.

His preparation also includes film study and learning the weekly game plan. Before the snap, Colton checks the eyes of the running back or fullback for clues about where they may be headed. He also looks for an offset lineman who might be preparing to pull. He’s searching for information that can help him recognize the play sooner, then matching those clues with what he studied. That attention to detail gives his natural desire to attack a stronger foundation.

A coach can expect Colton to listen, compete hard, and encourage the teammates beside him. Being the youngest on the team hasn’t stopped him from wanting to lead through his play and push others to give everything they have. His fire comes from making a hard tackle, doing his job, and testing himself against talented opponents. Football means that much to him, and he wants his commitment to show every time he takes the field.

I assess that Colton’s pursuit gives him value after a runner changes direction or slips past the first defender. His ability to locate the ball and stay involved can help his defense finish plays that demand more than the initial hit. There's promising potential in a linebacker who can contribute from different spots while keeping his attention on where the play is headed. As his speed develops, he has the opportunity to close those final steps sooner and help erase running lanes before they grow.

Colton has a strong foundation for becoming a defensive playmaker who can handle a growing role within his team’s scheme. His developing recognition can help him anticipate blocking movement, while added strength can help him stay on his path when opponents try to cut him off. He has the potential to become more disruptive through traffic and more decisive when attacking an opening. With his appetite for competition and willingness to absorb coaching, expect him to return ready to turn another offseason of preparation into a more explosive sophomore season. Stay tuned.