David Long Jr. (linebacker)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1996)}}
{{for|the New York Giants cornerback|David Long (defensive back)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = David Long Jr.
| image = David Long Jr 2021 09-19.jpg
| caption = Long with the Tennessee Titans in 2021
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|10|12}}
| birth_place = Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lb = 225
| high_school = Winton Woods {{nowrap|(Cincinnati, Ohio)}}
| college = West Virginia (2015–2018)
| draftyear = 2019
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 188
| pastteams = * Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2022}})
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2023|2024}})
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2024}})
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2024}})
| status =
| highlights = * 2× Second-team All-American (2017, 2018)
- Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2018)
- 2× First-team All-Big 12 (2017, 2018)
| statleague = NFL
| statseason = 2024
| statweek = 16
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 388
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 1.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 3
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 1
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 15
| statlabel6 = Interceptions
| statvalue6 = 4
| pfr = LongDa04
}}
David Lamont Long Jr. (born October 12, 1996){{cite web| url = https://www.espn.com/nfl/plIayer/_/id/3916074/david-long| title = David Long Jr. Stats, News, Bio|website=ESPN}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football at West Virginia.
Early life
When Long was seven years old, he was on the back of a bike being pedaled by his older brother when he was hit by a car driven by someone who was not paying attention. He was treated at the hospital with head and arm injuries.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}} He attended Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati and finished his career with 283 career tackles, six sacks, and six interceptions. Long was a high school teammate of safety Mike Edwards, who was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft.
College career
File:2018-0717-Big12MD-DavidLongJr.jpg
Long redshirted in 2015 and made his collegiate debut as a redshirt freshman for the 2016 team in the season-opener against Missouri on September 3 with four tackles as a reserve.{{Cite web |last=Manning, Sean |date=August 31, 2018 |title=David Long hungry for first start in season opener |url=http://wvmetronews.com/2018/08/31/david-long-hungry-for-first-start-in-season-opener/ |access-date=December 7, 2018 |website=West Virginia MetroNews}}
Long missed the first month of the season due to a summer knee injury. As a redshirt sophomore for the 2017 Mountaineers, his best statistics were his 18-tackle (including a school record 7 for a loss (meaning the offense lost yardage as a result of his tackle)) effort against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on October 28 and his 2.5-quarterback sack performance in the December 26, 2017 Heart of Dallas Bowl against the Utah Utes.{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2017 |title=LB David Long goes on tackling tear for West Virginia |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2017/11/02/lb-david-long-goes-on-tackling-tear-for-west-virginia/107268994/ |access-date=December 7, 2018 |website=USA Today |agency=Associated Press}}{{Cite web |last=Casazza, Mike |date=December 26, 2017 |title=FINAL: Utah 30, WVU 14 |url=https://247sports.com/college/west-virginia/Article/Mountaineers-end-season-with-sixth-loss-six-first-downs-112756101/ |access-date=December 7, 2018 |publisher=247Sports.com}}{{dead link|date=April 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
Among his best games as a redshirt junior for the 2018 team were his 15-tackle (3 for a loss) effort against Texas Tech on September 29 and his 3-sack performance on November 10 against TCU.{{Cite web |last=Hunter, Greg |date=October 4, 2018 |title=Hard to get mad at Long for missed tackle |url=https://www.wvnews.com/morgantownnews/sports/hard-to-get-mad-at-long-for-missed-tackle/article_451679f9-3eba-5df7-be12-3de22c1aedb3.html |access-date=December 7, 2018 |website=The Morgantown News}}{{Cite web |date=November 10, 2017 |title=West Virginia vs. TCU Live updates Score, results, highlights, for Saturday's NCAAF game |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/west-virginia-vs-tcu-live-updates-score-results-highlights-for-saturdays-ncaaf-game/ |access-date=December 7, 2018 |website=CBS Sports}} That season, he was named as a 2018 first-team All-Big 12 Conference selection and as the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year,{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2018 |title=2018 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced |url=http://www.big12sports.com/pdf9/5479797.pdf |access-date=November 30, 2018 |website=Big12Sports.com}}{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2018 |title=Big 12 coaches vote Sooners QB Kyler Murray top offensive player |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/25403026/big-12-coaches-vote-kyler-murray-oklahoma-sooners-top-offensive-honor |access-date=November 30, 2018 |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} after leading the Big 12 in tackles for a loss.{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2018 |title=2018 Big 12 Conference: Individual Statistics Through games of Nov 28, 2018 |url=http://www.big12sports.com/fls/10410/pdfs/football/2018OverallStats.pdf?&DB_OEM_ID=10410 |access-date=November 30, 2018 |website=Big12Sports.com}} Long is the second Mountaineer to be named a conference defensive MVP (Canute Curtis, 1996 Big East), and first since the Mountaineers joined the Big 12.{{Cite web |last=Hickey, Alex |date=November 28, 2018 |title=West Virginia LB David Long named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year |url=http://wvmetronews.com/2018/11/28/west-virginia-linebacker-david-long-big-12-defensive-player-of-year/ |access-date=November 30, 2018 |website=Metro News}} Long earned 2018 College Football All-America Team second-team recognition by the Walter Camp Football Foundation,{{Cite web |last=Carbone, Al |date=December 6, 2018 |title=Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 All-America First and Second Teams |url=https://waltercamp.org/walter-camp-football-foundation-announces-2018-all-america-first-and-second-teams/ |access-date=December 7, 2018 |publisher=Walter Camp Football Foundation}} and the Associated Press.{{Cite web |last=Russo, Ralph D. |date=December 10, 2018 |title=AP All-America team: Tide leads with 4 of 10 CFP players |url=https://apnews.com/fae9919b680940b9894dd530493690bb |access-date=December 11, 2018 |publisher=Associated Press}} On December 30, 2018, Long announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the 2019 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Trotter, Jake |date=December 30, 2018 |title=Mountaineers LB David Long entering NFL draft |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2019/story/_/id/25645972/west-virginia-mountaineers-lb-david-long-entering-nfl-draft |access-date=January 12, 2019 |website=ESPN}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 11 1/4
| weight = 227
| dash = 4.81
| ten split = 1.65
| twenty split = 2.78
| shuttle = 4.27
| cone drill = 6.88
| vertical = 31.0
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 3
| bench = 18
| arm span = 30 3/4
| hand span = 10
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1002942&DraftYear=2019 |title=David Long Jr., West Virginia, ILB, 2019 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |website=draftscout.com |access-date=November 8, 2021}}
}}
=Tennessee Titans (first stint)=
Long was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round (188th overall) of the 2019 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt, Jim |date=April 27, 2019 |title=West Virginia LB David Long Picked By Titans in Sixth Round, and He's Ready to Learn From Mike Vrabel |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-selected-west-virginia-linebacker-david-long-in-sixth-round|access-date=January 31, 2022 |website=Tennessee Titans}} During Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Long forced a fumble off running back Damien Williams which was recovered by teammate Rashaan Evans for a 53-yard touchdown in the 35–32 win.{{Cite web |date=November 10, 2019 |title=Titans rally, spoil Mahomes' return beating Chiefs 35-32 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127981 |access-date=November 10, 2019 |website=ESPN}} He finished his rookie season with 15 tackles as a backup linebacker and special teamer.{{Cite web |title=David Long 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LongDa04/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=Dec 25, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}
Long played 14 games during the 2020 season, making five starts at the end of the season, recording 54 tackles and a forced fumble.{{Cite web |title=David Long 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LongDa04/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=Dec 25, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 16, 2020,{{Cite news |last=Wyatt, Jim |date=November 16, 2020 |title=Titans Move RB Darrynton Evans to 'Designated for Return' List, Place LB David Long on Reserve/COVID-19 List |work=TennesseeTitans.com |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-move-rb-darrynton-evans-to-designated-for-return-list-place-lb-david-long |access-date=December 24, 2020}} and activated on November 28.{{Cite news |last=Wyatt, Jim |date=November 28, 2020 |title=Titans Activate Punter Brett Kern from Injured Reserve, While Also Activating LB David Long from Reserve/COVID-19 List |work=TennesseeTitans.com |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-activate-punter-brett-kern-from-injured-reserve-while-also-activating-lb- |access-date=December 24, 2020}}
Long entered the 2021 season as the starting linebacker for the Titans, playing only 10 games due to injuries. He recorded 75 tackles and two interceptions.{{Cite web |title=David Long 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LongDa04/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=Dec 25, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}
Long continued the 2022 season as a starter for the Titans. He suffered a hamstring injury in Week 13 and was placed on injured reserve on December 10, 2022.{{cite web|title=Titans Make a Flurry of Roster Moves Ahead of Sunday's Game vs the Jaguars|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-make-a-flurry-of-roster-moves-ahead-of-sunday-s-game-vs-the-jaguars|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=December 10, 2022}} He finished the season with 86 tackles and two interceptions.{{Cite web |title=David Long 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LongDa04/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=Dec 25, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}
=Miami Dolphins=
On March 17, 2023, Long signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Miami Dolphins.{{cite web|title=Miami Dolphins Sign David Long Jr. and Eric Saubert|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-sign-david-long-jr-and-eric-saubert|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=March 17, 2023}} He started all 17 games for the Dolphins in the 2023 season, recording a career-high and team-leading 113 tackles.{{Cite web |title=David Long 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LongDa04/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=Dec 25, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}
Long returned as a starter for six games in the 2024 season, but lost his starting job in Week 8, only playing on special teams for two more games before being released on November 13, 2024.{{cite web|title=Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-make-roster-moves-x3211|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=November 13, 2024}} He made 38 tackles during his season with the Dolphins.{{Cite web |title=David Long 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LongDa04/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=Dec 25, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}
=Detroit Lions=
On November 18, 2024, Long signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad.{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2024 |title=Long Finds Another Team |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/long-finds-another-team-01jd0jwrt0ms |access-date=November 18, 2024 |website=Miami Dolphins On SI |language=en-US}} He was promoted to the active roster on November 27.{{cite web|title=Detroit Lions sign 2 practice squad players to 53-man roster, elevate an OT|url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/11/27/24307709/detroit-lions-sign-2-practice-squad-players-to-53-man-roster-elevate-an-ot|work=Pride of Detroit|date=November 27, 2024}} Long played five games with the Lions during the 2024 season, making seven tackles and a fumble recovery. He was released on December 24.
=Tennessee Titans (second stint)=
On December 25, 2024, Long was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans, set to return to the team that originally drafted him.{{cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |title=Titans Claim LB David Long Jr. Off Waivers, Place LB Kenneth Murray Jr. on Injured Reserve |website=TennesseeTitans.com |date=Dec 25, 2024 |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-claim-lb-david-long-jr-off-waivers-place-lb-kenneth-murray-jr-on-injured-reserve |access-date=Dec 25, 2024}} However, he was waived the next day after a failed physical.{{cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |website=TennesseeTitans.com |title=Roster Moves: Titans Add Kicker Matthew Wright to Practice Squad, LB David Long Jr. Fails Physical |date=Dec 26, 2024 |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/roster-moves-titans-add-kicker-matthew-wright-to-practice-squad-lb-david-long-jr-fails-physical |access-date=Dec 26, 2024}}
=NFL statistics=
| class= "wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Regular season statistics | |||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Tackling ! colspan="4"| Fumbles ! colspan="6"| Interceptions | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sk | TFL | FF | FR | Yds | TD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | |
| 2019 | TEN
| 14 || 0 || 15 || 9 || 6 || 0.0 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | TEN
| 14 || 5 || 54 || 30 || 24 || 0.0 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | TEN
| 10 || 9 || 75 || 46 || 29 || 0.0 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 ||6 || 3.0 || 6 || 0 || 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | TEN
| 12 || 12 || 86 || 52 || 34 || 0.0 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 4 || 2.0 || 4 || 0 || 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | MIA
| 17 || 17 || 113 || 64 || 49 || 1.0 || 9 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|2024
!MIA |8 |6 |38 |26 |12 |0.0 |2 |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |— |— | |||||||||||||||||
| DET
| 5 || 1 || 7 || 3 || 4 || 0.0 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2" |Career | 80 | 50 | 388 | 230 | 158 | 1.0 | 27 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 2.5 | 6 | 0 | 15 |
| class= "wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Postseason statistics | ||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Tackling ! colspan="4"| Fumbles ! colspan="6"| Interceptions | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Total | Ast | Sk | TFL | FF | FR | Yds | TD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD |
| 2019 | TEN
| 3 || 1 || 13 || 10 || 3 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2020 | TEN
| 1 || 1 || 5 || 4 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | TEN
| 1 || 1 || 8 || 6 || 2 || 1.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"|Career | 5 || 3 || 26 || 20 || 6 || 1.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |
Personal life
Long is the son of David and Deon Long. He is one of 12 children.{{cite web |title=David Long Jr. - Football |url=https://wvusports.com/sports/football/roster/david-long-jr-/5469 |website=West Virginia University Athletics |access-date=June 8, 2024 |language=en}} David’s father, David Sr., is a former professional boxer who went 12-5-2 as a heavyweight. He once fought future world champ Deontay Wilder.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons}}
{{footballstats|espn=3916074|yahoo=32020|nfl=david-long}}
- [https://wvusports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5469 West Virginia Mountaineers]
{{Big 12 Conference football Player of the Year navbox}}
{{Tennessee Titans 2019 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Long, David Jr.}}
Category:Players of American football from Cincinnati
Category:American football linebackers
Category:West Virginia Mountaineers football players
Category:Tennessee Titans players