How Vanderbilt football's AJ Swann is addressing a throwing problem with Joe Burrow as an example

Nashville Tennessean
Decision-making is essential for a quarterback and Vanderbilt's AJ Swann made a smart decision earlier this week by reaching out to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow for help.
Swann, who stepped back in as the Commodores' starter after Mike Wright transferred to Mississippi State, realized he had a similar throwing problem Burrow had struggled with and wanted to know how the record-setting quarterback dealt with it.
"I was working on some mechanical stuff that I feel like I've been off with a little bit and I tried to get in touch with Joe Burrow because we had the same problem," Swann said. "I'm a big fan of of his. The problem was about finishing through with my whole body instead of staying tall and finishing through with my head's rotation."
While Swann wasn't able to get in touch with Burrow, a close mutual friend connected Swann with David Morris, founder of QB Country, who has trained college quarterbacks who have won five national championships. There are 11 QB Country locations, including one in Nashville.
"My problem was with being soft with my landing. Landing firm is what I need to work on," Swann said. "I've been landing soft."
Swann said after speaking with Morris that he did a better job with his landing the previous two days in practice, but was off again Tuesday.
Swann, a 6-foot-3 sophomore who completed 115 of 198 passes for 1,274 yards with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions in 2022, has plenty of time to fix the problem before the Commodores open the season Aug. 26 at home against Hawaii.
The former Rivals four-star prospect saw his first action against Hawaii in last year's season opener. In Week 3, he replaced Wright in the third quarter against Wake Forest and earned his first start the following week, when he led the Commodores to a 38-28 win at Northern Illinois.
Swann started the next four games before suffering an injury against Missouri.
Swann said the biggest difference between fall camp as a freshman and this year is that he is more comfortable as the confirmed starter. Senior Ken Seals has worked primarily with the second team in camp while sophomore Drew Dickey has backed up Swann and Seals.
"The biggest thing is the leadership role," Swann said. "Just taking control of the offense and being out there and being confident."
Coach Clark Lea said at SEC Media Days last month that Swann still has work to do to establish himself as a quarterback who can be counted on.
"I've got full confidence in him and I'm excited for him," Lea said. "But durability, and not just durability but consistency, and play ... I believe he's got talented people around him. We know he can make big plays in big moments. We've seen that. He needs to consistently facilitate performance in those around him."
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Swann agreed he has plenty of talented teammates to help. Last season's three leading receivers — Will Sheppard (60 catches, 776 yards, 9 TDs), Jayden McGowan (44-453-3) and Quincy Skinner Jr. (17-238-2) — are back. Junior Richie Hoskins, who played sparingly in 2022, also has stood out early along with freshmen Junior Sherrill from Lipscomb Academy and London Humphreys from Christ Presbyterian Academy.
"My receiver room definitely has a lot more depth this year," Swann said. "There are a lot of guys out there I trust. Will obviously being one of them, Jayden being one of them, Q being one of them. Richie Hoskins is another one."