Zaccheaus ’15, Swift ’17 join Eagles

“Go Birds!” is a rallying cry for Eagles fans; it is so ubiquitous that it sometimes is used as a greeting when Eagles fans meet at the Wawa or on the street.

For the past few weeks, you can say Go Birds and add the Prep Hawks to the mix as the Eagles added two St. Joseph’s Prep graduates to their roster: trading for D’Andre Swift ’17 and signing Olamide Zaccheaus ’15 as a free agent. 

“It is an amazing time for our program to see two of the best players we have had over the past decade returning to the city that they love and to be on the same team together for the first time since being here at the Prep is incredible for them,” says head football coach Tim Roken, who was the Offensive Coordinator when Swift and Zaccheaus were Prep students.

Swift’s exploits on the field as a Prep player are legendary. His #7 was retired before he left the campus and went to the University of Georgia where he had an outstanding career. In 2020, when he was selected by the Detroit Lions, he was one of three Prep players drafted into the NFL that year joining Jon Daniel Runyan ’15 (Green Bay Packers) and John Reid ’15 (Houston Texans). In his three seasons in Detroit, Swift established himself as a threat running and receiving. One of his most memorable games as a pro came against the Eagles last season, when he rushed for 144 yards.

“I am beyond blessed to have an opportunity to play in front of my hometown where the love and support is truly unconditional,” says Swift. His father Darren continues to serve on the Prep’s coaching staff, handling strength and conditioning, and D’Andre has always happily come back to support the program when he returns to the city.

For Zacchaeaus, his career at the Prep was filled with highlights. An unquestioned leader during his time on the football field, he went to the University of Virginia, where he impressed on offense and special teams. An undrafted free agent, O signed with the Atlanta Falcons and had some incredible moments, earning the respect of his teammates and the league.

“Being back playing in Philadelphia is a blessing,” says Zaccheaus. “When I signed it felt like I had the whole community behind me. I can’t wait to make plays in familiar territory!”

Both Swift and Zaccheaus have remained in contact with Roken, as well as former head coach Gabe Infante, who is now at Penn State University. While they will of course are busy in their work with the Eagles, Roken hopes that their proximity to the Prep will allow them to be more active in the program that they love.

“They are both such outstanding young men who have been blessed with talent but also an incredible work ethic. They committed themselves to a process here and we are so proud of what they have accomplished in their lives,” says Roken. “To have them be held up as role models for other players coming up behind them in the program will be an incredible opportunity.”

VIDEO: 

News coverage (feat. Coach Roken)

Dre and O Together Again (Eagles Twitter)

ARTICLES:

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