Hunter Long – April 30, 2021
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Friday, April 30, 2021
TE Hunter Long
(Obviously you made a good impression on the Miami Dolphins during the Senior Bowl. What do you think it was that really caught their eye?) – “I don’t know if it was one particular thing. I think I went down there, I 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. I don’t know if there was one thing that really stood out. I guess they could probably tell you that. But it was awesome to get to know them down there and it was a fun week.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores, we just finished talking to him and he was talking you up and sharing thoughts on you guys and his school. Can you talk a little bit about the Boston College program, and following up on the last question on any interactions you may have had with him that were memorable from the Senior Bowl? Obviously it left a good impression on them.) – “Obviously the BC program is known as being a hard-nosed, tough program. It breeds guys like Coach Flores. He’s an awesome guy. Obviously I got to know him at the Senior Bowl a lot. I don’t know if there is one moment I can share but obviously throughout the week, I was able to talk to him and build a relationship with him. It was awesome down there for me.”
(How much did you and Head Coach Brian Flores talk about BC? Did you talk about all of the food spots around the place and whatnot?) – “All of it, all of it. (laughter) He’s a proud BC alum just like I am.”
(I wanted to ask you about the two offenses you played in there at BC. You went form Steve Addazio’s offense to Frank Cignetti and obviously you guys rolled up so many rushing yards with AJ Dillon in the past and now you go to more of a pro-style offense. I’m wondering what that did to prepare you for the versatility and I guess the professionalism or job of becoming a professional football player and being a versatile player?) – “I always say that I feel like I got the best of both worlds at BC with both offensives. Obviously it was a more run-heavy offense and this past year, we really opened up the pass game. I think it allowed me to become a well-rounded tight end and work at all aspects of the position. I’m grateful for the journey I had at BC and grateful for the original coaching staff I had there, and obviously this previous coaching staff. They taught me so much and I feel like I was really able to build the tools that I think I’ll need going to the next level.”
(Can you speak a little bit as to not getting offers out of high school and how that’s kind of motivated you this whole time? And what made you believe that you could get to this point and reach the NFL?) – “Like you said, I had no offers coming out of my senior year of high school and I had to do a fifth year of high school to get a couple of offers. I think it just allowed me to play with a chip on my shoulder. Every time I touch the field, it’s a chance to prove the people wrong that didn’t believe in me early on in my career. It also made me have to take full advantage of the few opportunities I had. It put some pressure on me to step up and be the player that I believed I could be, but it also allows me to go on the field and play with that chip.”
(Are you the first NFL player form Exeter, New Hampshire?) – “(laughter) I believe there was someone drafted in 1907 from Exeter. In the modern era, I think I’m the first player.”
(What is organized football like in that part of the country?) – “(laughter) We do play 11-on-11 football. It’s obviously not the highest-rated high school football in the country, but I obviously had a great experience with it, and I love my coaches from high school and the guys I played with. I’m just grateful for the journey I took. I wouldn’t want to change it for anything.”
(What did you do so well last year that had you finishing with those results, basically leading all tight ends in the country statistically? The second part is what do you know about QB Tua Tagovailoa, and what do you know about the position group that you’re joining in TE Mike Gesicki, TE Durham Smythe and TE Adam Shaheen?) – “My biggest thing each year was to improve on what my weaknesses were. I think I was able to do that every year there. I had great teammates around me this year and a great quarterback and a great staff that allowed me to utilize my talents to the best of my ability. I think it was just the progression of my career. It was the next step I needed to take and I was able to take it this past year. The second part of your question, obviously I watched them a lot. Obviously I watched Coach Flores and those guys a lot. I know a lot about them. I’m just excited to get down there and meet everybody and get to know my new teammates.”
(I heard recently that you solved a Rubik’s cube in 47 seconds. How’d you get so good at that, and what other skills do you have off the field that might surprise people?) – “I started solving the Rubik’s cube my freshman year in college. I just bored one day and ordered one. It kind of became a thing I did in my free time sitting at my desk or in bed, and I got all right at it. It’s a little nerve wracking solving on live TV. I didn’t want to mess up, but it went well. The other hobby I think people will be surprised at is I build computers. I built my first computer when I was 13 and have built a couple since. It’s a hobby of mine and I graduated with a computer science degree from BC, so it’s kind of a big part of my life.”
