Like I mentioned in the last article, we’re winding down in the 90’s so that means less pass rushers in this countdown so I wanted to highlight an underrated college edge rusher.
The Long family is one of the greatest football families of all time and Chris excelled on the defensive line like his father Howie. Howie Long is an NFL Hall of Famer and NFL analyst.
Chris played from 2004-2007 in the ACC with the Virginia Cavaliers where he saw immediate time as a freshman in 2004. He only played in six games that year and missed five games due to mononucleosis.
Over his next three seasons in Charlottesville he ramped up his productivity. He racked up 172 tackles, 41 for loss, 21 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. Prior to his senior season, Long was on every watchlist imaginable. He was in contention for the Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Trophy, Lombardi Trophy, Hendricks Award, and the Lott Trophy.
Long finished the season as a finalist for the Lombardi, Lott, and Nagurski Trophies and went on to win the Hendricks Award which goes to the nations top defensive end.
Tomorrow, our run on pass rushers comes to an unfortunate end. I know the receivers and running backs that read this are happy about that and the big guys in the trenches will be a bit upset but the show must go on.