Swain Named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Senior defensive back and punt returner Vicari Swain was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for the third time in his career the league office announced on Monday. The Carrollton, Ga. native cemented his name in the record books with his fourth and fifth career punt return touchdowns in the Gamecocks’ 45-9 win over Towson on Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium.

He shares Special Teams Player of the Week honors with Florida’s Vernell Brown III who also had a pair of punt return scores in the Gators’ 52-3 victory over Campbell on Saturday.

Swain broke a 55-year old school record for the most career punt return touchdowns, formerly held by Dick Harris (1969-71). His five punt return touchdowns are T-4^th most in SEC history trailing only Javier Arenas (7 at Alabama), Derek Abney (6 at Kentucky) and Christian Kirk (6 at Texas A&M).

He had house calls of 58 yards and 45 yards against the Tigers. Swain’s 18.2 career punt return yard average is the best mark in program history.

Since 1995, 32 different players across FBS have recorded games with multiple punt return touchdowns. Swain is the ONLY player on the list to do it twice as he had two punt return scores for touchdowns in last season’s 38-10 win over SC State.

Since 2021 under head coach Shane Beamer, the Gamecocks have been honored with SEC Special Teams Player of the Week 11 different times.

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