Schwesinger Embarks on NFL Career

It’s the first day of May, and Carson Schwesinger, Class of 2021, has already been drafted by the Cleveland Browns during the National Football League’s draft on April 25.

After fulfilling media obligations and making an appearance in Cleveland, the former Lion had some time to train on his own before reporting to Ohio for the Browns Rookie Mini Camp which began on May 6.

Schwesinger, the 33rd overall pick (round two, pick one), decided to come home and train at Oaks Christian. He was being led through a workout by Oaks Christian’s Head of Sports Performance Matt Nelson in the McKittrick Fitness Center. He was joined by his younger brother, current Oaks Christian senior, Weston.

“Faith, family and football are the three most important things to me,” Schwesinger said. “When I was training up at the stadium I looked up and saw Weston and asked him if he could join me for a workout.”

As the brothers went through the workout, it was a scene Nelson recalled from Schwesinger’s time at Oaks Christian.

“Carson’s a warrior who spent most of his days in here getting better,” Nelson said. “If his story teaches us anything about overcoming obstacles, it’s that hard work and determination can get us through them.”

The last time Schwesinger worked out in the OCS weight room he was a senior preparing to walk on and play football at UCLA as a zero-star recruit. Today, he’s preparing to join the Cleveland Browns.

Schwesinger’s 33rd overall selection is the second-highest NFL draft selection of OCS graduates, behind Kayvon Thibodeaux, Class of 2019, who was selected fifth overall by the New York Giants in 2022. 

“I remember getting the call, and it was a FaceTime, so I could see that it’s the Browns calling,” Schwesinger recalls from his draft night call from Cleveland. “Obviously, you know it’s the Browns, so I know that’s where I’m going, but it didn’t feel real until they handed it to the GM and he says that ‘we’re going to take you with the 33^rd pick.’ I just remembered all these thoughts and emotions rushing through my head. I was speechless for a second.”

You could forgive Schwesinger for struggling to find words in that moment. The thoughts must have been expansive ranging from no stars out of high school, to limited playing time at UCLA, to earning an opportunity on special teams, earning a scholarship, being a starter and becoming an NFL prospect during his senior season.

Schwesinger at a time when nothing in the world was normal. COVID-19 was ravaging every sector of society, including the recruiting process for high school athletes.

“There weren’t camps, there weren’t practices for college coaches to come out and see,” Schwesinger recalls. “All these college coaches were returning their rosters because everyone got a COVID year. So, there wasn’t really an urgency to look for last-second guys to get on your team as there would be in a normal situation.”

Oaks Christian Head Football Coach Charlie Collins had a relationship with then-UCLA coach Chip Kelly and recommended he bring Schwesinger in as a preferred walk-on. Kelly took Collins’ advice, and even though the path ahead was narrow.

“Carson’s story shows that you don’t have to be a five-star to make it. You can be a no star and go to college and get on a team and make it if you’re willing to put in the work,” Collins said. “Make no mistake about it, Carson put in a lot of work.”

Once arriving at UCLA, the 6ft 2in linebacker got to work trying to make an impact and get recognized by the staff that had given him an opportunity to play collegiately. The first breakthrough came in his second season when he was playing on all four special teams.

“I remember after the first few fall camp practices that I called my mom and told her that I’d be able to be a great player at UCLA,” he said. “It’s not that I thought I was better than the guys I was playing with right now. But when I saw what level those guys were playing at, and they’ve been doing this for five years, that goes back to the belief in myself and the confidence.”

Fast forward to his senior campaign, and Schwesinger put together a campaign that took him from an inspiring walk-on story to a First Team All-American linebacker by the Associated Press and a bona fide NFL draft prospect. He amassed 136 total tackles, 4 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, one fumble forced, and two interceptions in his lone season as a starter.

“I focused on finding any way to get better throughout my time at UCLA,” Schwesinger said. “I think that mindset, combined with the confidence is what got me to that All-American standing that I knew I was capable of when I got to UCLA.”

Schwesinger did all that on the field while amassing a 3.72 GPA in the classroom and securing a bachelor of science in Bioengineering.

As part of the pre-draft buildup, Schwesinger hosted his NFL pro day at Oaks Christian on April 2. Scouts and executives from 30 NFL franchises descended on Bill Redell Field at Thorson Stadium to confirm their belief that Schwesinger would make their NFL team better. Standing in the crowd was Oaks Christian College Counselor Michael Nation.

“He loves the Lord so much and he’s just such a good grounded young man,” Nation said. 

It’s that faith in Jesus Christ that Schwesinger credits with grounding him throughout his journey from walk on to NFL player.

“One of the things I learned throughout this process, which is really comforting, is that God does not care how good I am at football,” Schwesinger reflected. “No matter what I do on the field, He’s more concerned with how I treat people, the person I am, and how I show Him to others around me.”

How big an impact Schwesinger makes in the NFL is yet to be seen. His legacy at Oaks Christian, however, is already cemented.

“Carson exemplifies what we want our kids to come out of this program looking like,” said his former head coach Charlie Collins. “Character and hard work still matter in this game. As good as Carson played at UCLA, earning an All-American nod, people are quick to discuss his IQ at the combine and his character. Obviously, we know about his film, but it’s his character that counts and sets him up for the most success.”