Ryan Swope is 'really honored' to be inducted into A&M Athletics HOF

After being named to the Lettermen’s Association Hall of Fame Class of 2025, Texas A&M's all-time leading receiver Ryan Swope joined us in studio on Thursday's edition of TexAgs Live to share his initial reaction before focusing on what he hopes to see from the Aggies in 2025.

Key notes from Ryan Swope interview

• It was May 18 when I heard I was in the Hall of Fame, which is pretty funny. I received a phone call on Saturday. Mike Evans and Cathy Capps called me and reached out to break the big news. It's pretty special for Evans and what he's done for this program. It holds a dear spot in my heart. Then, a couple of moments later, my wife went into labor.
   
• I'm super excited. It's a privilege to be in such a great group with a lot of great people that represented the Maroon & White and celebrate on September 5.
   
• I think back then, and hopefully still today, it starts at your roots. At a young age, I give credit to my mom and dad, the way they raised me. I was fortunate to have a competitive younger brother. We held each other accountable. Louie, my brother, and those people had instilled the work ethic in my life. I met great people along the way. It's how I played the game in high school and didn’t go out of bounds. Once I stepped foot on Kyle Field, I tried to earhole every guy I saw.
   
• You always have egos, distractions and adversity along the way. Your true leaders come out in those times and start leading. I think it's crucial to have a successful football team. If you don’t have those guys, you won't win. I had three different receiver coaches and a couple of head coaches. You have to persevere and punch through. I was fortunate to have a lot of good players around me and good coaches, quarterbacks and offensive linemen. I'm really honored to accept this award. Stephen McGee’s next on this court.
   
• Leading up to that Baylor game, we knew we had a big week. It's one of those things where everything is flowing. You find your rhythm and just ball out. Ryan Tannehill was on fire. It helps when you have a quarterback who throws dimes. I was in a rhythm. It's one of those moments I'll never forget. I’ll get to share it with my kids.
   
• The most magical moment was beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa. I'll tell my kids about it, and hopefully, they’ll tell their kids. Beating Nick Saban is a cherry on top, and coming back here, greeted by 20,000 Aggies. No other place does it like Texas A&M. It was a really special night for me.
   
• The summer of 2012 is when we noticed we got a senior crew, 18 coming back and 12 or 13 from the defense. We were over there putting work in and brewing something special. Everyone was coming to practice, holding everyone accountable. We had an opportunity to do something that had never been done. A lot of people hated us in the first year in the SEC. We had a new ball coach and no quarterback yet. We knew what we were capable of. It was gangster. Kliff Kingsbury instilled a tone of confidence. We found a Heisman quarterback in Johnny Manziel. You throw him in, and the rest is history.
   
• People wrote us off that year. It's a similar feeling to what they may be feeling now. Hopefully, that will transfer over this season. I'm excited about Marcel Reed with his experience, and the great transfer receiver from NC State, KC Concepcion. Our backfield is exciting. There is a lot to look forward to.
   
• I liked Tampa 2 coverage. I liked a basic with a bender. You would choose to Cover 2, and you could take the hash and let the quarterback throw in the middle of the field. It's hard to beat that.
   
• My biggest question mark is the receiver room. I need to watch two-a-days in August. Terry Bussey is a big part of our offense.
   
• People don’t understand how valuable a good tight end is. In the NFL, you win a Super Bowl with a franchise tight end. We need a big body who can block and do everything.