I found an Interesting article about Bureau Valley graduate and second year University of Illinios football lineman, Nate Swanson.

To read more about Nate Swanson and what he said at the Illini Media Day, check out this article on the News Tribune.

Some highlights....

Swanson started practice Friday for his second season as an offensive lineman for Ron Zook’s Illinois football team.

He enters the beginning of practice ranked third on the depth chart at strong-side offensive tackle. Swanson said his main goal this year is to move into the backup tackle position, which would allow him to travel for road games.

Swanson has two reasons for optimism that he can earn a backup role — his performance in the spring and the Illini’s new offense.

“The spring game … was really my first game experience,” Swanson said. “You don’t have a big crowd, but you’re on the field; and you got the p.a. announcer, you’re in uniform and it’s all live. That was really cool, and I played the whole second half because we had a guy get hurt.”

Illinois’ coaches decided to have Swanson redshirt last season so the spring game was his first chance to experience live action in Memorial Stadium, and Swanson said it was the highlight of his freshman year.

“I think (the spring game) helped with confidence,” Swanson said. “I got to know that I could do it, and that’s pretty sweet.”