Titans Ties, NFL Inspiration Help Jack Fuchs Land at Northwestern
Jack Fuchs didn’t need a hard sell. But when you’re a 6-foot-9, 295-pound offensive tackle with Power Five offers and NFL dreams, every piece of insight counts-especially when it comes from someone who's already walked the path.
That someone? Tennessee Titans guard Peter Skoronski.
Fuchs, the son of Titans offensive line assistant Scott Fuchs and a standout at Beech High School in Tennessee, leaned on Skoronski for perspective as he navigated a whirlwind recruitment process that took a sharp turn after the midseason firing of Penn State head coach James Franklin. Originally committed to the Nittany Lions back in June, Fuchs reopened his recruitment and began weighing his options all over again.
That’s when Skoronski-drafted 11th overall by the Titans in 2023 and a Northwestern alum-offered more than just casual advice.
“It was definitely helpful to see his perspective on everything and how he felt about the whole program,” Fuchs said. “He was telling me how he grew up in the Chicago area and just how he thinks it’s, like, the best place on the planet and how he loved his time there. It was comforting, I guess, to have that in the back of my mind.”
Skoronski’s NFL success certainly didn’t hurt Northwestern’s pitch. Now in his third season with the Titans, he’s been a bright spot on an offensive line that’s taken its share of criticism, currently holding the second-highest pass-blocking grade among guards and ranking 14th overall at his position, per Pro Football Focus.
For Fuchs, that kind of development track matters. He chose Penn State initially for its reputation in preparing players for the next level. But Northwestern, in his eyes, offers that same pipeline.
“They have the guys put in the NFL, they consistently develop good guys,” he said. “I think they’ve got two more guys that are expected to be first- and either second- or third-round draft picks.”
After decommitting from Penn State, Fuchs shifted a scheduled gameday visit from Indiana to Kentucky-but it was a trip to Northwestern that sealed the deal. He announced his commitment to the Wildcats on November 11.
“It was a fantastic trip,” Fuchs said. “I got to meet all the guys, and I fit so well with them.
I got to meet all the coaches. I was so impressed with what they have for offensive line development.”
Fuchs is rated as the No. 15 senior prospect in Tennessee and a Top 50 offensive tackle nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite. He brings more than just size and potential-he brings production. Since transferring from Lawrence Free State High School in Kansas, he’s helped Beech rack up over 8,000 yards of offense and 21 wins, including a pair of Class 5A quarterfinal appearances.
“I’m truly grateful I got to come spend time here with these guys,” Fuchs said of his time at Beech. “Just what they did with their weight program and spring ball, I had never done spring ball. It was just so much opportunity for me.”
Even a high ankle sprain that slowed him down late in his senior season couldn’t dim the overall experience.
Now, he’s headed to a Northwestern program that’s trending upward under third-year head coach David Braun. The Wildcats are bowl-eligible for the first time since 2023, and the momentum around the program is real.
Fuchs plans to enroll early, giving him a head start on adjusting to college life and the demands of Big Ten football.
Swafford Signs with ETSU, Eyes Early Start
Another Beech standout is taking the next step. Running back Chelton Swafford made good on his commitment to East Tennessee State, officially signing with the Buccaneers.
Like Fuchs, Swafford plans to enroll early-an increasingly common move for high school seniors looking to get a jump on their college careers.
Swafford’s senior year was derailed by a broken collarbone just four games in, but the 5-foot-10, 200-pound back still managed to tally nearly 500 rushing yards and eight touchdowns before the injury. His ability to produce in limited action kept his recruitment alive, and he chose ETSU over offers from North Alabama, Toledo, Eastern Kentucky, Southeast Missouri State, and UT Martin.
The Bucs are led by head coach Will Healy, formerly of Austin Peay, and running backs coach Kerryon Johnson-a name SEC fans will remember from his days starring at Auburn before a four-year NFL career.
For Swafford, the opportunity to learn under a former NFL back and contribute early in a competitive FCS program was too good to pass up.
Two Beech playmakers. Two early enrollees. And two college programs getting a whole lot better.