Ryan Switzer's father was working upstairs in his home office on April 29 when his son received a call from the Dallas Cowboys. By the time the father made it downstairs, Ryan was having a conversation with Jerry Jones.
The Cowboys were making Ryan the 133rd overall pick in the NFL draft.
"The first words out of my mouth were, 'We're going to the freaking Super Bowl,' " said his father, Michael. "Our house went from being a morgue to celebration Saturday."
There are several reasons for the Super Bowl prediction. Along with what he thinks the 5-foot-8, 181-pound wide receiver can bring to Dallas on the field, Switzer's father was having thoughts of former Cowboys Super Bowl-winning coach Barry Switzer and legendary Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley, MVP of Super Bowl V in 1971.
The Switzers are not related to the three-time collegiate national champion coach, but Barry has reached out by phone and claimed Ryan as family because of his ability as a player. Howley was raised in Wheeling, W.Va., about 175 miles north of Charleston, Ryan's hometown.
At Ryan's size, most parents would have doubts about their child one day playing in the NFL. But Michael insists the combination of his son's talent and work ethic made him think it was possible.
"I believed in his ability before he even believed in it," his father said. "Ryan's will to succeed and do well is greater than his will to breathe."
Steve Edwards, Ryan's football coach at George Washington High School, was about to head over to the Switzer home to watch the draft when he heard a familiar name on his TV.
"It got to the part where they said 'out of the University of North Carolina,' and I was like, 'What did they say?' I started crying," Edwards said. "It was a very emotional day for everyone. I didn't think I would be like that."
Switzer is more than one of Edwards' former players. They are friends. When Edwards reflects on his time coaching the fourth-round pick, he thinks about the smiles.
Switzer, who played running back, defensive back, kicker, punter, kick returner and punt returner in high school, made Edwards smile when he was upset about being named first-team all-state only as a punter his freshman year. He smiled every time Switzer would turn a nothing play into a long touchdown run.
