David Long Jr. Bio
David Lamont Long Jr. (born October 12, 1996) is an American professional football linebacker who has played in the National Football League since 2019. Drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Long has built a reputation as a reliable tackler and defensive contributor across multiple teams. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and listed at 225 pounds, he has appeared for the Tennessee Titans, the Miami Dolphins, and the Detroit Lions. A former standout at West Virginia University, Long earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and multiple All-American recognitions during his college career.
Early Life and Background
David Lamont Long Jr. was born on October 12, 1996, in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the United States. He is the son of David Long Sr. and Deon Long, and he is one of twelve children in his family. His father, David Sr., is a former professional boxer who compiled a 12-5-2 record as a heavyweight and once fought future world champion Deontay Wilder. The family environment gave Long early exposure to competitive sports, shaping his athletic mindset from a young age.
When Long was seven years old, he was riding on the back of a bike pedaled by his older brother when the bike was struck by a car driven by someone who was not paying attention. He was treated at the hospital for head and arm injuries. He attended Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati, where he finished his prep career with 283 tackles, six sacks, and six interceptions. At Winton Woods, he was a high school teammate of safety Mike Edwards, who was later selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Path to American Football
Long’s path to professional football began in the competitive youth and high school programs in the Cincinnati area, where his physicality and instincts on defense stood out. His high school resume at Winton Woods, highlighted by the 283 tackles, six sacks, and six interceptions, attracted attention from college programs. He ultimately chose to continue his career at West Virginia University, joining a Mountaineers program known for developing hard-hitting defensive players.
The transition from high school to major college football required patience, as Long redshirted during the 2015 season to develop his body and learn the defensive scheme. By the time he reached his redshirt freshman year in 2016, he was prepared to contribute on the field. His rapid development and standout play at Winton Woods laid the foundation for what would become one of the most decorated defensive careers in West Virginia history.
David Long Jr. Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Long redshirted in 2015 before making his collegiate debut as a redshirt freshman in the 2016 season-opener against Missouri on September 3, recording four tackles as a reserve. He missed the first month of the 2016 season due to a summer knee injury, but continued to develop within the West Virginia defense. The experience gained during that redshirt year and his limited 2016 snaps prepared him for a larger role in 2017.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2017, Long delivered one of his most memorable early performances, racking up 18 tackles, including a school record 7 tackles for a loss, against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on October 28. He added 2.5 quarterback sacks in the December 26, 2017 Heart of Dallas Bowl against the Utah Utes. That season, he earned First-team All-Big 12 honors and was recognized as a Second-team All-American, signaling his arrival as one of the conference’s top linebackers.
West Virginia Breakthrough (2017–2018)
Long’s redshirt junior season in 2018 represented the peak of his college career. He posted 15 tackles, including 3 for a loss, against Texas Tech on September 29, and followed it with a 3-sack performance against TCU on November 10. Those efforts helped him lead the Big 12 in tackles for a loss while serving as the defensive leader of the Mountaineers.
That same year, Long was named a 2018 First-team All-Big 12 selection and was honored as the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He became only the second Mountaineer ever to be named a conference defensive MVP, joining Canute Curtis from the 1996 Big East, and the first since West Virginia joined the Big 12. He also earned 2018 College Football All-America Team second-team recognition from both the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the Associated Press. On December 30, 2018, Long announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the 2019 NFL Draft.
NFL Career with the Tennessee Titans (2019–2022)
Long was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round, 188th overall, of the 2019 NFL Draft. During a Week 10 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, he forced a fumble off running back Damien Williams that was recovered by teammate Rashaan Evans for a 53-yard touchdown in a 35-32 Titans win. He finished his rookie season with 15 tackles while serving primarily as a backup linebacker and special teamer.
Long appeared in 14 games during the 2020 season, making five starts late in the year and recording 54 tackles along with a forced fumble. He entered the 2021 season as a starting linebacker for the Titans but played only 10 games due to injuries, finishing with 75 tackles and two interceptions. In 2022, he continued as a starter but suffered a hamstring injury in Week 13 and was placed on injured reserve on December 10, 2022, finishing that year with 86 tackles and two interceptions.
Miami Dolphins Era (2023–2024)
On March 17, 2023, Long signed a two-year, 11 million dollar contract with the Miami Dolphins. He started all 17 games for the Dolphins in 2023, recording a career-high and team-leading 113 tackles and establishing himself as a core piece of the defense. The production reinforced his value as an every-down linebacker capable of leading a defensive front seven in tackles.
Long returned as a starter for six games during the 2024 season, but lost his starting job in Week 8 and appeared only on special teams for two more games before being released on November 13, 2024. He made 38 tackles during his 2024 stint with the Dolphins. Across his time in Miami, he remained a durable and productive presence at the linebacker position.
Detroit Lions Stint (2024)
On November 18, 2024, Long signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 27, 2024, and played five games with the Lions during the 2024 season, making seven tackles and a fumble recovery. He was released by the Lions on December 24, 2024, closing out a brief but active stretch in Detroit.
Return to Tennessee Titans (2024)
On December 25, 2024, Long was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans, the team that originally drafted him in 2019. The move was set to reunite him with the franchise where he began his NFL career. However, he was waived the next day after a failed physical, ending his second stint in Tennessee.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Long’s career came in 2019, when he forced a fumble against the Kansas City Chiefs that was returned 53 yards for a touchdown by Rashaan Evans. In 2018, he became the first West Virginia player to be named a Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, a milestone that placed him among the all-time greats in Mountaineers history. He also recorded 113 tackles in 2023, establishing a new career high and leading the Miami Dolphins in that category.
David Long Jr. Career Highlights
Across his NFL career through the 2024 season, Long has accumulated 388 total tackles, 4 interceptions, 1.0 sack, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 15 pass deflections. He has appeared for three organizations, including two stints with the Tennessee Titans, and has started games at linebacker for the Titans and the Miami Dolphins. His college resume at West Virginia is highlighted by two Second-team All-American selections, two First-team All-Big 12 nods, and the 2018 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award.
David Long Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Long is the son of David Long Sr. and Deon Long, and he is one of twelve children in his family. His father, David Sr., is a former professional boxer who compiled a 12-5-2 record as a heavyweight and once faced future world champion Deontay Wilder. The competitive background of his father helped shape Long’s discipline and physical approach to football, while the large family dynamic instilled a strong sense of resilience and teamwork.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Long grew up in a large, athletic household that included twelve siblings. His older brother was riding a bike with him at age seven when the accident occurred, an experience that reinforced the close bond between the siblings. He pursued his education at Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati before continuing at West Virginia University, where he completed his college football career from 2015 to 2018.
2025 Season Outlook
Long enters the 2025 season as an unrestricted free agent after being waived by the Tennessee Titans following a failed physical in late December 2024. His career totals of 388 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 3 forced fumbles demonstrate the kind of production that can attract interest from teams in need of veteran linebacker depth. Given his track record as a reliable tackler and his experience starting in both base and sub-packages, he remains a viable option for clubs seeking linebacker reinforcement.
Throughout his career, Long has shown the ability to step into starting roles and produce at a high level, as evidenced by his team-leading 113 tackles for the Miami Dolphins in 2023. Whether he lands a roster spot, a practice squad role, or a one-year contract with a contender will likely shape his 2025 story. His familiarity with multiple defensive schemes and his leadership in the locker room make him an attractive short-term addition for playoff-caliber teams looking for experienced depth at the linebacker position.