Oregon Profile:
Name: Kyle Long
Height: 6' - 7"
Weight: 311 lbs.
Class: Senior
Hometown: Charlottesville, VA
DOB: 12/5/88 (24 years old)
Before UO: Florida State (baseball, LHP), Saddleback JC (Mission Viejo, CA)
High School: St. Anne's-Belfield High School
Season Summaries:
2012 Sr. Year: Played extensively in 10 of 12 games for Oregon at left guard, left tackle and right tackle. Battled through an ankle injury for 2 games, but continued to successfully compete for playing time and showed tremendous tenacity and athleticism in space. Part of an extremely potent offensive attack that was 3rd in the NCAA (FBS) in rushing yards. Despite comparatively limited playing time to other full time starters in the Pac 12, Kyle Long has accepted an invitation to play in the prestigious 2013 Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL (January 26th, 2013). A Pre-Draft Bowl game, of which the North Squad will be coached by the Oakland Raiders' staff. Long had appealed the NCAA for one more year of college football, but was denied.
ARTICLE ON KYLE LONG (1/17/13): Link
2011 Jr. Year (Saddleback JC): Made the switch from DE to OL his last year at SCC.
2010 So. Year (Saddleback JC): Transferred in after leaving the Florida State baseball program. Played defensive end, recording 16 tackles and 1 sack.
2009 Fr. Year (Florida State): Was a fireballing LHP for the 'Noles, being clocked in the mid-90's. Left the program after being arrested for a DUI. Long had been drafted in the 23rd Round of the MLB Draft.
2012 Sr. Year Highlights (#74):
Positives (+):
+ Has very good frame and length
+ Outstanding strength, gets hands inside and uses punch and press to push defenders back
+ Finishes backside blocks, doesn't get too lazy
+ Comes from a Zone type scheme at UO, has good movement skills, but demonstrates the strength to play OG in a Power Blocking Scheme
+ Showed versatility at UO, playing LG, RT and LT
+ Initial punch is stout, can drive defensive linemen off the line explosively, good base and flat back
+ Has ability to dominate at the second level, finishing linebackers into the ground
+ Shows good natural knee bend and base in pass pro
+ Extremely violent down blocker, several knockdown blocks a game
+ Strong potential as a project OT to bring up and develop quickly
+ Bloodlines second to none, father Howie was a former Raider and NFL Hall of Fame Defensive End, older brother Chris is a starting DE for the St. Louis Rams and was the former No. 2 Overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft
+ In light of being denied an extra year at UO, Long has showed solidarity in finding a plan to finish his degree, no doubt influenced by his father, a commitment to education is a good sign for the young offensive lineman with a bit of a checkered past
Negatives (-):
- Still very raw, only one year of major college football
- Pass pro concepts and technique will need refinement to play OT at the NFL level
- Technique in pass pro and space blocking can see his hands attacking from the outside, however he does not typically hold
- Not exposed to a lot of Pro Style concepts, will have to adjust to a new, massive NFL playbook
- Likely plays OG early in his NFL career, likely susceptible to NFL speed rushers on the edge
- Was arrested for a DUI at FSU, effectively alienating himself from the Nole baseball program
NFL Analysis:
Kyle Long has all the physical tools to succeed at the next level. His play was dominant for a first year player (in major college football) due to his size and strength. For a fairly raw prospect, Long shows good natural tendencies. He'll likely start his NFL career as a Guard, but will definitely get looks at RT early. All that being said, playing in the fast paced, zone read scheme that Chip Kelly uses in Eugene will mean he has to come into a NFL camp and grasp more typical NFL offensive concepts. This will take a bit of time as Long settles into a more permanent position along the OL.
Outlook as a Raider:
Obviously, Long has some very good genes that he descends from. That is definitely a good starting point, and no doubt, were Al still alive he could've very well drafted Long in the 1st Round. Projected anywhere from the high-2nd Round to the mid-3rd Round, Long has a very good shot at becoming a Raider in multiple Draft Day(s) scenarios. While Oakland does not possess a 2nd Round pick, a favorable trade down could land them a 2nd to possibly use on Long. As a versatile offensive lineman with enormous potential as a LG/RG or RT, Oakland will be looking at Long as a possibility. LG Cooper Carlisle will most likely retire this offseason, RG Mike Brisiel, while signed to a 4 year contract, has very little guarenteed money coming his way, which could mean, after the firing of ZBS OC Greg Knapp, that Brisiel might indeed be let go in favor of OL who are more PBS oriented. Long's strength and tenacity would make him an ideal plug and play guy inside at guard for the Raiders...with strong potential to move out to Right Tackle, which is also a need for Oakland. Should Long fall to the high-3rd Round, where Oakland owns a pick, look for him to be picked up if they go Defense in the 1st Round...possibly Def/Def in the 1st/2nd Round should they find a trade down partner.
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