Instincts set Long apart at linebacker

See ball, get ball.

At times during his freshman season that’s the way David Long approached playing WILL linebacker in West Virginia’s 3-3-5 defense. Well, because at the time it is the only way he knew how to play -- giving maximum effort and pursuit every snap.

And the results weren’t all that bad.

The Cincinnati, Ohio native finished his first year starting the final ten games of the season after replacing Sean Walters in the starting lineup. Overall his 63 tackles, ranked sixth on the team.

“It was a learning process at the beginning. I really didn’t know what was going on but I just played to the best of my ability and got better throughout the year,” Long said.

That ability comes from instincts that defensive coordinator Tony Gibson hasn’t seen before.

“Every single day he does something you just shake your head at,” he said. “He’s different than anybody I’ve been around or coached. He’s so instinctive and explosive and strong.”

It’s almost hard to believe that several schools overlooked him because of his height. One that Gibson says is “gracious,” to be listed at 5-foot-11. But the Mountaineers never had any questions on his ability and he is now possibly the next in line of players that have succeeded in Morgantown when others have questioned their ability to get it done on the field due to vertical limitations.

“A lot of coaches were iffy on me height but I wasn’t worried about it,” Long said.

A big reason for that is the effort that he brings to practice on a daily basis and he keeps his pad level low which allows him to get under blocks and disrupt plays.

“He’s not afraid of anybody because of his size. He’s full speed, he’ll run right into you,” Gibson said.

Slated to open the season as the starter at WILL as well as being tasked with being one of the leaders on a West Virginia defense that will be replacing a number of starters. If he is up for it depends on his development in a number of areas with one of those understanding his role in the scheme more than he did a year ago when he would rely on chasing the ball more than playing disciplined defense.

“I’ve just been looking over the film and watching what I did wrong,” Long said.

While the coaches aren’t trying to curb his instinctual nature on the football field, the goal is to become more gap sound and avoid giving up plays by being over aggressive. At times, Gibson will point to his tape last year of plays that actually worked out for Long as examples of what not to do.

“I tell the younger guys don’t try that. But he gets it,” Gibson said.

And get it he has. Long is looking to turn an impressive debut campaign that only supported the praise he had received as a true freshman when the coaching staff almost pulled his redshirt into much more. And the sky is the limit for his development with three years remaining.

“He’s a great football player. I’m glad he’s on our team,” Gibson said.