INDIANAPOLIS — David Long thought about returning to West Virginia for his senior season. But one piece of paper was ultimately the deciding factor in his decision to enter the 2019 NFL Draft.
He received his bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies last December. Without it, he probably would have returned to Morgantown.
“That played a big part because I’m the first male on my mom’s family to graduate. It definitely was a big decision-maker,” the former Mountaineers linebacker said at the NFL combine. “I’m glad it happened.”
As much as it meant to Long, it meant just as much to his mother.
“She was very excited. I have a lot of younger siblings, so it was a big thing to do out there and set an example — and not a bad example — for me to be a positive one was a big thing for me,” said Long, who is one of 12 children.
“I’m in the middle of the pack. I’ve got six brothers and five sisters,” he said. “It’s a big family.”
Another factor in his decision to forgo his final college season: Long didn’t think there was much more he could do to improve his draft stock.
At 5-foot-11, 227 pounds, Long projects as a hybrid linebacker/safety. But one NFL scout doesn’t believe he’s explosive enough to be a safety.
“He’s a true Will weakside linebacker,” the scout said.
Long believes he has the mobility to play that hybrid position, but he views himself as a true linebacker, albeit undersized.
“You watch my film, I can go down there and rumble with the big boys also,” he said. “I feel like anywhere they put me on the field, I can make it happen.
“I feel like I would excel anywhere they put me, but I’m more of an inside — play-the-run type. But I’m good in open-field tackling, so put me outside and I can be just as good.”
Long’s tackle numbers increased every year at West Virginia, and last season he made 108 tackles, 19 1/2 for loss with seven sacks. He attributed his productivity to time in the film room to help make pre-snap reads.
Though NFL teams have asked Long about a pair of injuries — including a knee injury in 2017 that cost him four games — no club has much of a concern about Long’s durability. He credited the West Virginia training staff for getting him back on the field following that preseason injury in 2017.
Long didn’t do on-field drills at the combine, saving that until the West Virginia pro day on March 21 — when he promised to “show out.” He did participate in the bench press Saturday, putting up a personal-best 18 reps of 225 pounds.
“I’m getting out what I can,” Long said of his combine goals. “Definitely just getting out here and showing the type of character I am with the coaches and interviews and making my mark.”
