Long headed to Miami

By rbrown
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Updated: May 1, 2021

Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores knows what he’s getting in Boston College tight end Hunter Long. At least he should.

The Dolphins selected Long, an Exeter resident, in the third round (81st pick) of this year’s NFL Draft. Not only did Long play for a team coached by Flores at this year’s Senior Bowl, Flores was also the only NFL head coach who attended Long’s workout during BC’s Pro Day in March.

“I was excited to add an Eagle,” Flores said. “He’s the typical Boston College player — he’s tough, he’s smart, he’s team-first.”

Long led all tight ends nationally in receptions (57) and ranked second in receiving yards (685), behind Florida’s Kyle Pitts, during the 2020 season. He finished his college career with 89 receptions for 1,297 yards and nine touchdowns.

“I went down there and showed what I could do and built connectiction with all the coaches,” Long said when he was asked about playing for the Dolphins staff at the Senior Bowl. “Obviously I was able to talk with them throughout the week. It was an awesome week for me. I’m excited to get down there (Miami) and meet my new teammates.”

Long played tight end and multiple defensive positions at Exeter High School. He helped the Blue Hawks reach the 2015 NHIAA Division I championship game — a 42-14 loss to Goffstown — and also played in the CHaD New Hampshire East-West All-Star Game.

He said coming from New Hampshire made him work harder to reach his goals.

“I had no offers coming out of my senior year of high school,” he said. “I had to do a fifth year (at Deerfield Academy) to get a couple offers, but I think it’s allowed me to play with a chip on my shoulder. Every time I take the field it’s another chance to prove the people wrong who didn’t believe in me early on in my career. It also made me have to take advantage of the few opportunities I had. It put some pressure on me to step up and be the player I believed I could be.

“I love my coaches from high school and the guys I played with. I’m grateful for the journey I took. I wouldn’t want to change it for anything.”