Southern Illinois: Detroit native Kayon Swanson credits mom for upbringing

[News from the FCS]

With unemployment near 20 percent and the nation's highest rate of violent crime, the city of Detroit isn't the most hospitable place to raise a family. So give credit to Kristal Dixon, who successfully raised twin boys Kayon and Kenya Swanson in the Motor City.Kayon Swanson, a senior nose tackle for Southern Illinois, said his mother was determined to keep close tabs on her kids throughout childhood."She watched who I was associating with and sometimes she didn't let me go out because she didn't want me to become a statistic," Kayon sad. "I hated that in high school, but I love her for it now because she was a strong force and wouldn't let her kids go down the wrong path."To get her children in a better school system, Dixon moved the family from the city to the suburb of Southfield, Mich."My mom had a consistent job as a probation parole officer and she also has a notary company, so it wasn't a financial struggle growing up," Kayon said. "I'm fortunate to have a really tight-knit family that was able to provide."Both boys played football in high school, but it was Kayon who developed into a three-sport star, excelling in football, wrestling and track, a sport in which he was All-State in the shot put. Kenya went on to get a job in the auto industry at Ford Motor Co., while Kayon was one of two Southfield High School athletes to earn a Division I football scholarship.Even though they went their separate ways after high school, the twin brothers remain close."His thrill was watching me compete in sports -- he lived his dreams through me," Kayon said. "And he made sure I never went astray. Now, I hear stories about our high school friends and things that happened to them, and I'm so glad we're a strong-knit family with good morales."Swanson has never missed a game in his three-year career at SIU and emerged last season as a dominant force on the Saluki defensive line. He recorded 52 tackles, 4.0 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss to earn All-Conference honors.His best game came against the best competition -- Southeastern Conference foe Mississippi. In front of 60,000 fans and a press box full of NFL scouts, Swanson was virtually unblockable. He was a constant presence in the Ole Miss backfield, picking up two sacks, eight tackles and numerous quarterback hurries.Kayon Swanson records a sack at Ole Miss.Swanson earned National Player of the Week honors for his efforts at Mississippi, and it was the type of performance he hopes to replicate on a consistent basis this season. With talented defensive ends Ken Boatright and Eze Obiora flanking each side, Swanson should see fewer double teams this year."The three of us are really close friends and we think we can have a great year as a unit," he said. "It just so happens we're all really good football players and we hold each other accountable."The 6-foot-1, 304-pound fireplug wonders if there could be a place for him in the NFL if he keeps improving."Hopefully, I can go to the NFL and provide for my family, but that's not my focus," said the sports administration major. "I want to dominate each and every week. It's a dream, and that's why you put this jersey on, but if it doesn't happen, I'm grateful for the people I've met and the opportunities I've had."His ultimate dream is to play for his hometown Detroit Lions. He has a tattoo that says, "Detroit Only," a poster on his wall of Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, and said he idolizes Ndamukong Suh. Swanson thinks his skill-set would fit nicely with the Lions."I don't want to be categorized as a 300-pound player," he said. "I want to be known as a skilled player, who plays with aggression and a mean streak."*****************************Today marked the first day in full pads with live contact. There were live blocking and tackling drills, but no live tackling during 7-on-7 and Team drills. The first live scrimmage will be on Saturday morning.The coaching staff is determined to improve

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