Born and raised in Fort Pierce, Florida Swoope played scholastically at Westwood High School.
[2] Swoope played collegiately for the University of Illinois,[3] where he was a four-time All-Big Ten selection for the Fighting Illini.
[6] He began his rookie season as the Buccaneers' starter at strong safety, and was named to the Football Digest all-rookie team.
Injuries limited his playing time late in the season, and he was moved to free safety the next year.
[7] Signed by the Colts, he earned the starting job in the 1988 preseason, but dislocated an elbow in the season opener and missed four weeks of play.