Jake Long: Lapeer product proved talent in NFL as No. 1 pick
LAPEER, Mich. (BVM) – There are not many places that can say they were home to a No. 1 overall NFL draft pick, but Lapeer, Michigan can. Lapeer East product Jake Long had a tremendous high school career, starred at Michigan and eventually landed in the NFL where he enjoyed a successful nine-year run.
However, Lapeer is where he first made his name known, starring in baseball and basketball as well as on the gridiron. When it came to football, Long helped Lapeer East to new heights while becoming an all-metro and all-state player.
One of the top prospects in the state of Michigan’s 2003 class, Long held interest from multiple Big Ten schools, but ultimately stayed home to play for the Michigan Wolverines. After redshirting in his first year in Ann Arbor, Long became a starter in 2004, forming a promising young core alongside Chad Henne and Mike Hart.
Following an injury-riddled 2005 campaign, Long returned to become a first-team All-Big Ten selection and consensus All-American as the Wolverines went 11-2 in 2006. Despite being projected as a first-round pick, Long returned to Michigan in 2007. The Wolverines didn’t replicate their team success from the year prior, but Long again shined individually, proving he was one of the best linemen in the country.
As a result, Long became the first overall pick of the Miami Dolphins in the 2008 NFL Draft, becoming just the third offensive tackle to be taken No. 1 overall. Miami also drafted Long’s college teammate, Henne, in the second round.
Instantly, Long lived up to the billing of a No. 1 pick. He allowed just 2.5 sacks as a rookie, earning his first Pro Bowl selection following the 2008 season. He would again make the Pro Bowl in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The Lapeer native also earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2009 and first-team All-Pro recognition in 2010.
After missing the last four games of the 2012 season with a torn triceps, Long entered free agency where he joined the St. Louis Rams on a four-year, $36 million deal. However, he would never return to Pro Bowl form as injuries derailed his career. Late in the 2013 season, Long suffered a torn ACL. Shortly after returning to the field in October 2014, Long tore his ACL once again.
In 2015, Long signed with the Atlanta Falcons where he would play just 11 snaps all season. Long latched on with the Minnesota Vikings midway through the 2016 season, but suffered a torn Achilles that would ultimately end his career. In 2017, Long announced his retirement from the NFL at just 31 years old.
— Jake Long (@JakeLong77) April 24, 2017
A truly dominant tackle who may have been on a path to the Hall of Fame early in his career, the injuries Long suffered were devastating and left many wondering what could have been. However, Long still proved his toughness and grit throughout his time on the gridiron, and his impressive football career will long be remembered throughout Michigan.
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