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In just two seasons, Osceola running back Taevion Swint has already posted eye-popping numbers. He verbally committed to UCF over the weekend. PHOTO/JANA STULTZ
Announcing it on his Twitter account over the weekend and calling it a “100 percent commitment,” Osceola star running back Taevion Swint – a rising junior – says he will play his college football for the UCF Knights.
The announcement came hours after the Knights completed their spring game festivities Friday, in which the program hosted dozens of recruits. He becomes UCF’s first commit for the Signing Class of 2025. In March, Swint said he was considering one of eight schools including Florida, Florida State and UCF.
With two years remaining in his high school career, Swint has piled up gaudy numbers. In his 2021 freshman season, as a reserve playing behind his brother Ja’Randy Swint, he averaged more than seven yards per carry and led the team in rushing touchdowns (12) and scoring (96). Swint finished with 1,926 allpurpose yards and scored 15 total touchdowns as Osceola went 9-3 overall.
As a sophomore, Swint was the featured running back in the Kowboys offense. Playing against one of the toughest schedules in the state where the Kowboys faced 10 playoff teams in 14 games, Swint tallied 1,624 rushing yards and scored 20 touchdowns as Osceola went 10-4 and reached the state semifinals. For the season, Swint amassed 2,193 allpurpose yards and scored 25 touchdowns. His twoyear career numbers are 4,119 all-purpose yards, 2,236 rushing yards and 40 career touchdowns.
Swint said location played a role in his decision but it was the vibes he got from his visits that persuaded him to select UCF.
“I wanted to stay somewhere close, preferably in-state, so my family could see me play,” Swint said. “My mother had an opportunity to sit down with Coach (Gus) Malzahn and his staff and I was really comfortable with running backs coach Kam Martin.”
Considered a four-star recruit, Swint is listed as the 86th best prospect and No. 8 running back in the class of 2025 according to the On3. com Industry Ranking – which is compiled using the average rankings from the top four recruiting media services.
In addition to football, Swint is a track standout where he excels in the sprints, long jump and 4 x 100 relay for the Kowboys.
“He’s really the total package that you would want in a running back,” Osceola coach Eric Pinellas said. “He’s got it all: great vision, power, speed, that second gear and he can catch the ball out of the backfield. Taevion is also one of the hardest workers you’ll find. He is constantly training to get better.”
Swint could eventually join former teammate John Walker, a highly sought after defensive lineman who played with him last season at Osceola. Walker graduated in December, signed and is already enrolled at UCF and participated in Friday’s spring game.
Still, his commitment is non-binding and will not become official until the first signing period in December 2024.
“He’s only a sophomore and he’s going to get better,” Pinellas said. “You just got to believe the major powers aren’t going to try to change his mind.”
