McSwain attended Chase High School in North Carolina, where he was an All-American fullback and also played linebacker on defense.
He accepted a football scholarship from Clemson University and became a starter as a freshman, in place of an injured Lester Brown.
In his last two years, he would form with co-starter tailback Cliff Austin a dynamic duo in a backfield known as the "McBackfield", that also included fullback Jeff McCall.
[5] In the Orange Bowl, although he had only 14 rushing yards, he made a key 10-yard run during the drive that helped Clemson defeat Nebraska University for an unbeaten season and the national championship.
[6] After the first regular season game, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a torn tendon in his right ring finger and was replaced with Gary Allen.
McSwain works as an athletic director and track coach at Chase High School in North Carolina.