Texas high school football fans will remember the name Tyrone Swoopes. The former Texas Longhorns quarterback and NFL tight end is now giving back to the game that made him a household name in the Lone Star State. Lindale High School has announced Swoopes as the new tight ends coach for the Eagles football program.
Before making headlines in Austin, Swoopes was a standout multi-sport athlete at Whitewright High School, a small 2A school near Sherman, Texas. He was a four-star recruit ranked among the top 10 quarterbacks nationally and one of the top overall athletes in the 2013 class. Swoopes did it all in high school. He played quarterback, guard in basketball, competed in multiple track and field events, and even played baseball. He represented Whitewright in the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl and fielded offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and others before ultimately committing to the University of Texas.
At Texas, Swoopes’ career spanned the Mack Brown and Charlie Strong eras. As a sophomore in 2014, he started 12 of 13 games, throwing for over 2,400 yards and 13 touchdowns. While he had his ups and downs as a starter, he eventually made a name for himself with the “18 wheeler package,” a short yardage, power run formation that utilized his 6-foot-4, 249-pound frame to bulldoze defenders, particularly in red zone situations. He became a fan favorite during this role, especially after his heroics in the thrilling 2016 double-overtime win over Notre Dame.
After college, Swoopes transitioned to tight end and signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He spent time on NFL rosters with Seattle, Philadelphia, and Washington, appearing in seven games and logging two catches for 28 yards. After his playing career ended in 2021, Swoopes quietly returned to his Texas roots, coaching football and track at Tom Bean High School, which happens to be a rival of his alma mater. Now stepping into a 4A program at Lindale, Swoopes is ready to make an impact once again. This time, he’s shaping the next generation of players with the same passion and work ethic that defined his career.
