Steve Longa

Steve Longa
No. 54 Detroit Lions
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth: (1994-09-29) September 29, 1994
Place of birth: Cameroon
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight: 241 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school: Saddle Brook (NJ)
College: Rutgers
Undrafted: 2016
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Steven Longa[1] (born September 29, 1994) is an American football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Rutgers. He has also been a member of the Seattle Seahawks.

Early life

Longa lived in Yaoundé, Cameroon before moving to the United States at the age of 12.[2][3][1] His family then settled in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, where Longa attended Saddle Brook High School and was recruited to play football, a sport he had never played before.[2] He began playing football his freshman year of high school.[4][5][6]

He played linebacker and running back at Saddle Brook High School.[7][8] He earned Second Team BPSL-Carpenter honors his sophomore year in 2009.[9] He totaled 76 tackles, four sacks, 751 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns his junior year in 2010,[10][8][11] earning First Team NJIC-Meadowlands B honors.[9][8] As a senior in 2011, the team started the season with 10 straight wins before losing in the Group 1 North 1 semi-final.[9][12] He recorded over 70 tackles and over 1,000 rushing yards his senior season,[13][14][15][16] earning All-Group 1,[15][17] All-State,[14][16] All-North Jersey,[15][13] and All-Bergen County honors.[15][18][17][19] He accepted an invitation to play in the 2011 Chesapeake Bowl.[20][21] He also participated in track at Saddle Brook High.[22][23][24]

In the class of 2012, Longa was rated a four-star athlete recruit, the No. 31 athlete in the country and the No. 9 overall prospect in New Jersey by ESPN.com:[25][26][27] a three-star outside linebacker recruit, the No. 33 outside linebacker in the country and the No. 8 overall prospect in New Jersey by Rivals.com:[28][29][30] a three-star outside linebacker recruit, the No. 42 outside linebacker in the country and the No. 11 overall prospect in New Jersey by 247Sports.com:[31][32][33] and a two-star recruit and the No. 110 outside linebacker in the country by Scout.com.[34][35] He was also rated both a three-star recruit, the No. 59 outside linebacker in the country and the No. 17 overall prospect in New Jersey on 247Sports.com's composite rating, which takes into account the ratings of all the other major recruiting services in the country.[31][36][37][38]

He committed to Rutgers in May 2011.[28][1][39] He also had offers from Boston College, Connecticut, FIU, Maryland, Monmouth, Northwestern, Syracuse, Temple, Villanova, Western Michigan and Youngstown State.[28]

College career

Longa was a three-year letterman for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights of Rutgers University from 2013 to 2015.[40] He was redshirted in 2012.[15]

In June 2013, he was named a Preseason First Team All-Freshman by Athlon Sports.[41] He played in 13 games, all starts, at middle linebacker in 2013.[15] His 123 tackles were the most by a Rutgers player and the most by any NCAA Division I freshmen that year.[42][43][15] He also led all NCAA Division I freshmen in tackles per game with 9.5.[42][44] He had three sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and four pass breakups as well.[43][45] He was named a First Team Freshman All-American by Sporting News, a Second Team Freshman All-American by Athlon Sports and a Second Team Freshman All-American by Phil Steele.[46][47][48] He was also named Second Team All-AAC by Phil Steele.[49] He shared team defensive MVP honors with lineman Marcus Thompson.[15][40]

He moved to weakside linebacker during spring practice in 2014.[15][50] In June 2014, he was named Second Team Preseason All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports and First Team Preseason All-Big Ten by Phil Steele.[51][52] He appeared in 13 games, all starts, at weakside linebacker in 2014. He again led the team in tackles with 102.[15] He also had two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup.[15][45]

In June 2015, he was named Preseason First Team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele and Third Team Preseason All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports.[53][54][15] In July 2015, he was named to the watch list for the Lombardi Award, which is given to the best lineman or linebacker in the country.[55] Longa played in 11 games, all starts, in 2015 at weakside linebacker.[15][40] He missed the game against Army on November 21 due to injury.[56][15] He led the team in tackles with 117 and in forced fumbles with two.[15] He also recorded two sacks and two pass breakups.[15][40] He had a career-high 19 tackles against Ohio State on October 24.[57][15] His 19 tackles was tied for the most by any Big Ten player in a game that season.[58][15] He was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and Third Team All-Big Ten by the media.[59][15] He was also named the team's defensive MVP.[15][40]

Longa started 37 career games for the Scarlet Knights and recorded 342 tackles, which was the third most in school history.[60][61][57] He became the second player in school history to have three seasons with at least 100 tackles.[62][6] He also had seven career sacks, seven pass breakups, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.[62][57] He majored in labor studies and employment relations at Rutgers.[15] On December 22, 2015, Longa announced that he would forgo his final year of college eligibility and enter the 2016 NFL Draft.[63][64]

Professional career

Longa was rated the 17th best inside linebacker in the 2016 NFL Draft by NFLDraftScout.com.[65] Lance Zierlein of NFL.com predicted that he would be drafted in the sixth or seventh rounds. Zierlein stated that "Longa could factor in as an eventual starter at some point, but he might have to prove himself on special teams early in his career to earn his initial roster spot."[66]

Pre-draft measurables
Ht Wt Arm length Hand size 40‑yd dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20‑ss 3‑cone Vert jump Broad BP
6 ft 1 in
(1.85 m)		 241 lb
(109 kg)		 32 in
(0.81 m)		 9 3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		 4.78 s 1.67 s 2.79 s 4.56 s 7.50 s 32 in
(0.81 m)		 9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)		 19 reps
All values from NFL Combine[65][67]

Seattle Seahawks

Longa signed with the Seattle Seahawks in May 2016 after going undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft.[68] He was released on September 3, 2016.[69]

Detroit Lions

On September 5, 2016, Longa was signed to the Detroit Lions' practice squad.[70] He was promoted to the active roster on October 8 and made his NFL debut on October 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles.[71][72] He was released on October 11 and re-signed to the team's practice squad on October 13, 2016.[73][74] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions on January 9, 2017.[75]

Personal life

Longa's father, Etienne Longa, played soccer in Cameroon.[4][6][76]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Luicci, Tom (May 25, 2011). "Saddle Brook LB Steven Longa commits to Rutgers". nj.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Duggan, Dan (April 30, 2016). "How Steve Longa transformed from African soccer star to NFL prospect". nj.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  3. ↑ Dunleavy, Ryan (September 24, 2013). "Detail-oriented, studious Steve Longa wise beyond his years". blogs.mycentraljersey.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Vorkunov, Mike (November 20, 2013). "Rutgers football: Steve Longa and father, Etienne, have come long way together and apart". nj.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  5. ↑ "STEVE LONGA". cbssports.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 Luicci, Tom (October 24, 2015). "Steve Longa: Consistency at Linebacker". scarletknights.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  7. ↑ Luicci, Tom (February 1, 2012). "College Football Recruiting: Rutgers' Class of 2012 signees". nj.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 Kensik, Edward (September 8, 2011). "Falcons want to take next step on the road to a title". archive.northjersey.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 "Saddle Brook". bergenpassaicfootball.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Steven Longa". maxpreps.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  11. ↑ Szieber, Tom. "Conference Preview: NJIC". gridironnewjersey.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  12. ↑ Kensik, Edward (February 9, 2012). "Saddle Brook High School football players stay close to home". archive.northjersey.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  13. 1 2 "All-North Jersey football defense". archive.northjersey.com. December 11, 2011. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  14. 1 2 Parker, Brandon (October 11, 2011). "Don Bosco Prep dominates All-State football team". espn.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 "STEVE LONGA". scarletknights.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  16. 1 2 "2011 All-New Jersey football team". news12varsity.com. December 14, 2011. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  17. 1 2 "Football: Defense All-Group, All-Prep and All-Area honors, 2011". nj.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  18. ↑ "All-County". bergenpassaicfootball.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Football: All-Bergen County". archive.northjersey.com. December 11, 2011. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  20. ↑ Mika, David (December 30, 2011). "2nd Annual Chesapeake Bowl set for tonight". easternpafootball.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  21. ↑ Hellman, Sam (November 30, 2011). "Longa to Play in Chesapeake Bowl". scout.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  22. ↑ "All-Bergen County boys track". archive.northjersey.com. March 23, 2011. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Bergen County Championships". ny.milesplit.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  24. ↑ Monaco, Lou (February 1, 2012). "Steve Longa of Saddle Brook signs to play for Rutgers on national signing day". nj.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Steve Longa". espn.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  26. ↑ "2012 ESPN Top Athletes". espn.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  27. ↑ "2012 ESPN Top New Jersey Recruits". espn.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  28. 1 2 3 "Steve Longa". n.rivals.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Rivals.Com Outside Linebackers 2012". n.rivals.com. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Rivals.com New Jersey Postseason Top 30 2012". n.rivals.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  31. 1 2 "Steve Longa". 247sports.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  32. ↑ "2012 Top Outside Linebacker Recruits". 247sports.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  33. ↑ "2012 Top New Jersey Football Recruits". 247sports.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  34. ↑ "STEVE LONGA". scout.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  35. ↑ "2012 Outside Linebacker Football Recruiting Prospects". scout.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  36. ↑ "2012 Top Outside Linebacker Recruits". 247sports.com. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  37. ↑ "2012 Top New Jersey Football Recruits". 247sports.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  38. ↑ "247Sports Rating Explanation". 247sports.com. July 20, 2012. Archived from the original on October 7, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  39. ↑ Dohn, Brian (May 25, 2011). "Longa Shows Class in Talking RU Commitment". scout.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  40. 1 2 3 4 5 "2016 Football Media Guide: Rutgers" (PDF). grfx.cstv.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  41. ↑ Lassan, Steven (June 26, 2013). "College Football's All-Freshman Team for 2013". athlonsports.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  42. 1 2 "Rutgers Game Notes: The Penn State". scarletknights.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  43. 1 2 Spaulding, Anthony (August 26, 2014). "College Football: Rutgers' Longa could be next great Big Ten LB". njherald.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  44. ↑ "2013 Rutgers Scarlet Knights". cfbstats.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  45. 1 2 "Rutgers Football Media Guide: 2015". issuu.com. p. 31. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  46. ↑ "Steve Longa Named Sporting News Freshman All-American". scarletknights.com. December 8, 2013. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  47. ↑ Lassan, Steven (December 17, 2013). "College Football's 2013 Postseason All-Freshman Team". athlonsports.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  48. ↑ "PHIL STEELE’S 2013 Postseason FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICAN TEAM" (PDF). grfx.cstv.com. December 20, 2013. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  49. ↑ "Eight Named to Phil Steele All-AAC Teams". scarletknights.com. December 23, 2013. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  50. ↑ Hellman, Sam (March 24, 2014). "QB, Position Changes Highlight Spring 2-Deep". scout.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  51. ↑ Lassan, Steven (June 12, 2014). "Athlon projects the Big Ten's best for 2014.". athlonsports.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  52. ↑ "Johnson and Longa Named Phil Steele Preseason First Team All-Big Ten". scarletknights.com. June 5, 2014. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  53. ↑ Duggan, Dan (June 1, 2015). "Phil Steele names 8 Rutgers players to preseason All-Big Ten teams". nj.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  54. ↑ Lassan, Steven (June 11, 2015). "Big Ten Football 2015 All-Conference Team". athlonsports.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  55. ↑ "2015 ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD WATCH LIST ANNOUNCED". rotarylombardiaward.org. July 14, 2015. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  56. ↑ Duggan, Dan (November 21, 2015). "Rutgers linebacker Steve Longa out for Army game with injury". nj.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  57. 1 2 3 Duggan, Dan (April 30, 2016). "Seattle Seahawks sign Rutgers LB Steve Longa as undrafted free agent". nj.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  58. ↑ "2015 Big Ten Football". bigten.org. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  59. ↑ "View 2015 All-Big Ten Defensive Team & individual award winners". btn.com. November 30, 2015. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  60. ↑ Dohn, Brian (December 22, 2015). "Rutgers Scarlet Knights LB Steve Longa is leaving for the NFL Draft". scout.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  61. ↑ "Rutgers LB Steve Longa to declare for NFL draft". si.com. December 22, 2015. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  62. 1 2 "Carroo & Longa Invited to NFL Combine". scarletknights.com. February 11, 2016. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  63. ↑ Deren, Bobby (December 22, 2015). "Longa leaving early for NFL Draft, talks decision". rutgers.rivals.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  64. ↑ Logan, Scott (December 22, 2015). "Rutgers Linebacker Steve Longa Declares for 2016 NFL Draft". newbrunswicktoday.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  65. 1 2 "Steve Longa". nfldraftscout.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  66. ↑ "STEVE LONGA". nfl.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  67. ↑ "STEVE LONGA". nfl.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  68. ↑ Boyle, John (May 6, 2016). "Seahawks Sign 13 Undrafted Free Agents and 9 of 10 Draft Picks". Seahawks.com. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  69. ↑ Drovetto, Tony. "Seattle Seahawks Set 53-Man Roster, Trade For Defensive Backs L.J. McCray And Dewey McDonald". Seahawks.com. Archived from the original on 2016-11-27.
  70. ↑ "Lions sign WR Isaac Fruechte and LB Steve Longa to practice squad". DetroitLions.com. Archived from the original on 2016-11-27.
  71. ↑ "Lions sign LB Steve Longa to active roster and activate DE Armonty Bryant". DetroitLions.com. October 8, 2016. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016.
  72. ↑ "Steve Longa". pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  73. ↑ "Lions sign free agent RB Justin Forsett". DetroitLions.com. October 11, 2016. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016.
  74. ↑ "Transactions". detroitlions.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  75. ↑ "Lions sign nine players to Reserve/Future List". DetroitLions.com. January 9, 2017.
  76. ↑ Xavier, Kevin (October 8, 2015). "Junior linebacker embodies American Dream". dailytargum.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
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