The college grayshirts and redshirts have worn thin; now it's time for a new fit -- the NFL.

The college grayshirts and redshirts have worn thin; now it's time for a new fit -- the NFL.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Following a busy week at February's NFL Combine, University of Montana quarterback Josh Swogger was on a plane heading to Minnesota when he bumped into Vikings coach Brad Childress.
"He told me I had done a great job," said Swogger, an Ursuline High graduate. "Things like that let you know your hard work is paying off."
Swogger, who graduated from Washington State in December (he transferred his final credits from Montana), spent the first few months of this year working out at Velocity Sports, a training facility outside of Minneapolis that specializes in helping NFL prospects.
One of his tutors was Rich Gannon, a former NFL quarterback who led the Oakland Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII.
That training, combined with a strong senior season, has put Swogger in position to continue his football career. He's hoping to get drafted this weekend or, at least, sign as a free agent soon after.
"You never know what's going to happen with the draft," Swogger said. "I'm just anxious to get an opportunity to be an asset to an NFL team, whether they pick me up or it's in the draft."
Bumpy road
Although Swogger is on the verge of fulfilling a childhood dream, it hasn't always been a smooth journey. After leading Ursuline to the Division IV state championship his senior year, Swogger signed with Washington State, anxious to test his talents in the Pac-10.
He grayshirted in 2001 -- grayshirts delay enrollment for one or two semesters to ease their college transition -- then redshirted in 2002.
After playing in nine games as a redshirt freshman in 2003, Swogger seemed poised for a breakout season in 2004. He was named a team captain and started the first six games, completing 91 of 193 passes for 1,283 yards and 13 TDs.
But a foot injury ended his season prematurely and he appeared in just three games in 2005.
Unhappy with his playing time, Swogger transferred to Division I-AA Montana for the 2006 season. He won the starting job and led the Grizzlies to a 10-1 regular season record (their lone loss was to Iowa) before falling to UMass in the playoffs.
Earned invitation
Swogger completed 193 of 356 passes for 2,659 yards, 17 TDs and 12 interceptions, good enough to earn an invitation to the NFL Combine. (No small feat considering just 335 players are invited each year.)
Swogger was one of the drill quarterbacks, meaning that in addition to his own workouts, he threw to receivers and running backs working out for scouts.
"I didn't have a great year statistically, but I think a lot of teams saw what they needed to see," said Swogger, whose size and arm strength translate well to the NFL. "I looked at [being a drill quarterback] as a blessing because I was there the whole week and they saw what I was capable of.
"I feel like I threw the ball really well all week."
Although Swogger still has a future in football, he's often reminded of the past -- especially when he's home.
"Every Dec. 1, it's kind of hard not to think about it," Swogger said of the state title. "Some of the best times of my life came those last two years at Ursuline. I'm proud of what we were able to accomplish.
"That was a pretty good team."
Anywhere will do
Swogger grew up cheering for the Cleveland Browns, but like most draft prospects, he's ready to switch loyalties.
"I just want to go somewhere where I feel like I can make a difference," he said. "I'm just going to try and learn as much as I can as fast as I can and leave the rest in God's hands.
"It's not been the road I imagined I'd take to get to the NFL, but I still have a chance. And when I think about all the different obstacles I had to overcome, it makes me appreciate the things I have achieved that much more."
scalzo@vindy.com