The last two years of D.J. Swearinger’s football life have been pretty rocky. He bounced around from cornerback to safety and never really felt comfortable.

Now, he’s comfy as I was with a night light as a child.

“I totally feel comfortable. I’m in my spot,” South Carolina’s junior hard hitter said. “I’m at strong safety and that’s where I wanted to play even before I got here. When I’m at that spot, I feel more comfortable. I feel like I’m more of a veteran.”

As a freshman, Swearinger was as lost as any youngster making the transition from high school to college, but to make things worse he never really got cozy playing corner.

When he moved to safety last season, things improved, but he still split time between strong and free safety, collecting 66 tackles and breaking up five passes.

Now, he’s finally content with where he is and the light is starting to go on inside.

The athletic, rangy Swearinger worked out extensively with corner Stephon Gilmore this summer and Gilmore praised his teammate for not only his work ethic but his field improvement.

Gilmore expects big things from Swearinger and believes he’ll take on a bigger leadership role on defense as well this fall.

“D.J. has gotten stronger, faster,” Gilmore said. “I think he’s going to be the quarterback of our defense because he's the safety and he can see the whole defense.

“This year, it’s built for him to have a big year.”

Coming from one of the Gamecocks’ defensive standouts and captains means a lot to Swearinger. And while it might cause some players to feel a little more anxiety and pressure, Swearinger said he embraces it, and welcomes pressure from Gilmore and just about anyone else who wants to throw it at him.

“Since I was little, I loved the pressure,” he said. “It’s motivation. It makes me want to go harder. I have people counting me to do big things, but there is no pressure at all.”

Not to fill Swearinger’s plate of pressure with a side of increased responsibility, but coach Steve Spurrier is also adding another element to his game. Spurrier said at South Carolina’s media day that the speedster would probably by the Gamecocks’ No. 1 kick returner, as well.

For as physical and shifty as Swearinger is, he should fit right in. Last season, he averaged 21.8 yards on four returns.

Swearinger appreciates the confidence his head coach and teammates have in him, but assures that all those kind words aren’t just for show and aren’t for inflating hype. He feels like he’s completely revamped his game.

Swearinger was known a more one-dimensional player before, now that he’s moved to his natural position, Swearinger can tell that all of his talents will be on full display.

“I was once known as just a hitter, but I can cover better now,” he said. “I can see myself as an all-around safety. Instead of being that safety in the box, I feel like I’m that all-around safety.”