By Michael Stets
ALLEN PARK–When it came time for the Lions to pick in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon, they decided to add some swag to the secondary.
Jamal Agnew, a speedy cornerback from San Diego, who also goes by the nickname “Swagnew,” was taken by the Lions with the 165th pick overall.
“That was just a little nickname I got at USD,” said Swagnew in a conference call with Detroit reporters. “You know, our coach is really strict with the dress code and I used to try to make the dress code a little swaggy. So it goes with my last name a little bit and they called me ‘Swagnew,’ so it just kind of stuck since my sophomore year.”
Agnew was spending time with his family and grandmother Rosario, who is currently under hospice care, when he got the call from the Lions.
“I’m still in shock right now,” said Agnew, who said his grandmother was at a loss for words because she was so happy for him.“I’m still in shock right now. Just for her to be able to witness that, it just means so much to me and my family because she’s the backbone of our family, so that just means the world.”
The San Diego, Calif. native described his reaction to getting the call and being informed he was drafted by the Lions.
“I got the call and my heart dropped,” he explained. “I saw the area code and I was like, ‘No way is this happening.’ You know, I saw the TV, I saw Detroit on the clock, man, and then I saw the area code. I was like, ‘No way this is happening right now.’ You know, I had my phone on loud and my phone started ringing and everybody in the room just got quiet. I answered the phone and it was Kevin (Anderson) and then he handed the phone to Mr. Quinn and then Mrs. Ford, then to Coach Caldwell. You know, I’m still in shock right now. I’m still kind of shaking.”
“Swagnew” thinks his skill set will fit in nicely with the Lions. The fifth-round pick shared what his strengths are as a cornerback.
“Just the way we were coached,” he explained. “We were coached by Dale Lindsey at USD. He teaches us to be physical. You’ve definitely got to be smart. You’ve got to be in the playbook 24/7. I’m always watching film and that’s just how I play. I feel like that’s how the culture is in Detroit and that’s one of the other reasons why I’m real excited to go in there. Just go in there and compete, get better, get the team better and my teammates around me better.”
Agnew, who played basketball and track and field at Point Loma High School, ran sub 4.4 40-yard dash times at the NFL Scouting combine, and is also a punt returner. He measured at 5″10” and 185 pounds, which means he will likely play in the slot. Agnew isn’t sure where defensive coordinator Teryl Austin will line him up, just anxious to play and improve.
“I’m just looking forward to going in there and competing with the other guys, the other draftees, possible free agents and veterans and just looking to get better.”