Getting to Know Hunter Long

You might’ve seen me react to the Hunter Long pick on our Draft Day live-stream (Hunter, if you’re reading this, don't look at the live-stream). I was a bit confused about the pick initially, because Miami needed a center and a running back at pick 81.

#Dolphins new TE Hunter Long once completed a Rubik’s Cube in 47 seconds □ pic.twitter.com/0BzqSYx4AA

— Blue Wire Podcasts (@bluewirepods) May 1, 2021

Then I took a look at what he did at Boston College, understood what exactly this Dolphins offense could look like with Long, and a light bulb went off in my head. See the thread below:

Hunter Longs ability is documented in this video from the ACC Network

Led all TE’s in CFB with 89 targets and 57 receptions

+ Route Running
+ Hands
+ Ball Skills
+ Size

Lots of 12 personnel utilizing Long and Gesicki pic.twitter.com/6P8lyuoZOP

— PhinManiacs (@PhinManiacs) May 4, 2021

Let's take a look at Hunter Long’s measurables:
 

• Position: Tight End
• School: Boston College
• Current Year: Red-shirt Junior
• Height: 6’ 5 1/8″
• Weight: 254 pounds
• Wingspan: 83″
• Arm: 33 3/4″
• Hand: 9 3/4″

Hunter Long is a TE prospect in the 2021 draft class. He scored a 8.61 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 128 out of 912 TE from 1987 to 2021.

We probably won't have a lot of elite RAS Tight ends this year, but Hunter Long is one.
https://t.co/xWdDF8xjGi #RAS pic.twitter.com/XeeFdXXXZ5

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 28, 2021

The numbers say he's a monster, and certainly it predicts elite measurables. We’ll get an article a little bit later on detailing how he fits in Miami and his traits as a TE.

In an initial press conference, we see the type of person Hunter Long is. Like our other college staff writers ( Carter Melrose, Brandon Ligouri, Tanner Elliott, Joey Mauriello) and I, he’s got his hobbies, such as solving a Rubik's Cube in under a minute. I don't know about you, but I can’t name anyone I know who can solve a Rubik’s cube in under a minute. Additionally, he was a computer science major at Boston college, which speaks to his intellect as a player and person.

HUNTER LONG is coming to MIAMI! @HunterLong80

(shoutout @Byron31Jump)

? NFL Draft on NFLN pic.twitter.com/uBGvz9o0bR

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) May 1, 2021

Before suiting up for the Boston College Eagles, Long attended the prestigious boarding school Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. On 24/7 sports and ESPN rankings, he earned a two to three star recruiting ranking, despite being one of the top players in the state of Massachusetts. Long mostly received offers from FCS schools in the Northeast, but committed to BC, his only Power-Five offer.

Hunter Long with a big catch and run. He will be in contention to be one of the top three tight ends off the board in the 2021 NFL Draft. Has some similarities to Hunter Henry. Talented football player. pic.twitter.com/xfmAyP9Cvg

— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) December 28, 2020

Long was red-shirted his Freshman season, backed up former Bills TE Tommy Sweeney as a Sophomore, and became the starter in 2019. While Boston College was a run-oriented team, QB Phil Jurkovec took notice of the contested catches Long would routinely make. Long went on to lead BC with 509 yards on 28 catches and 2 scores. Long had an explosive season in 2020, as the offense changed into a vertical oriented scheme; furthermore, he led the team in receptions and was second in yards.

Hunter Long is a very well rounded tight end prospect. He isn't Kyle Pitts, but he can be an asset in all phases of the game.

Think of someone like Austin Hooper.
Not totally dominant in any one aspect of his game, but extremely solid in all of them. Good pick. pic.twitter.com/6zPGIOA33y

— George Forder (@GeorgeForder3) May 1, 2021

Coach Flores also played at Boston College, and this speaks volumes. Not only did he go to BC’s Pro Day because it’s his Alma Mater but also because of Hunter Long. Here’s what Long had to say about Boston College:
 
“The BC program is known as being a hard-nosed, tough program," Long said. "It breeds guys like Coach Flores. I went down (to the Senior Bowl) and was able to show what I could do and build connections with all of the coaches. I was able to talk with them throughout the week. It was an awesome week for me and obviously I built a great connection with them."

New Dolphins TE Hunter Long led FBS TEs in catches (57) last season and was named the TE of the National Team at the Senior Bowl (coached by Brian Flores and the @MiamiDolphins).

— Travis Wingfield (@WingfieldNFL) May 1, 2021

Indeed, the relationship was built between the organization and Hunter Long at the Senior Bowl. His teammates voted for him as the best practice player among the TE group on the National team, which was coached by the Miami Dolphins. Coach Flores called him tough, smart, and a team-first player, which is exactly the type of player he wants in the organization.
 
Check back soon as I detail my scouting report on Hunter Long.