Staff Photo by Patrick Smith--LaFayette offensive lineman Evan Swindall was selected as a member of the 2008 Times Free Press Dynamite Dozen. Photo taken July 13, 2008.

LaFAYETTE, Ga. — If the ability to adapt is crucial to success, Evan Swindall is ahead of most high school offensive linemen.

The LaFayette center is attending his third high school in three years, a result of being the son of a highly-sought coach. While most teenagers would find getting uprooted so often a tough thing to handle, the 6-foot-21/2, 185-pound Swindall just shrugs it off like he does defensive linemen.

“Really, it’s no big deal to me,” said Rivals.com’s 15th-ranked center prospect. “I moved from Russell (Ala.) to Hoover after my sophomore year, so I’m used to it. I love my new teammates. They’re completely different from my last school (Hoover Spain Park). They’re really nice people, and they want to work hard to get better.”

Working hard has never been a problem for Swindall, which makes his coach/dad’s job easier.

“People recognize leadership when somebody does it right, and Evan has always shown how to lead,” said Perry Swindall, who was named the Ramblers’ coach this past spring. “I’d like to take credit for it, but honestly I think he was born with it.”

Coach Swindall is already seeing his son’s work ethic pay off with his new players. However, it’s not just Evan’s leadership that will be appreciated this fall. He will lead an offensive line that has been pushed around in recent seasons.

“Evan is a technician, and that’s something he’s worked extremely hard on,” Coach Swindall said. “He can overpower people, but he doesn’t rely on that, which to me is what makes him a special player. He’s had some really good offensive line coaches, and he’s learned something different from each of them.”

Evan will attend yet another school next year, having committed to the University of Central Florida, but this time it’s his choice.

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