Five Things You Need To Know About…Spencer Long

Position: Guard

Height: 6'5", Weight: 311 lbs

College: Nebraska

Spencer was a surprise pick in the third round of the NFL Draft. He is no stranger to hard work and thrives on difficult challenges. Before he hits the field in his first regular season game, here are five things you need to know about Spencer Long.

#1. With plans of becoming a doctor, Spencer enrolled at Nebraska in the Biological Sciences/Pre-medicine program.

#2. Spencer was a walk on when he joined the Cornhuskers football team. After playing defensive end in high school, Long converted to a guard at Nebraska. He started every game as an offensive lineman by his sophomore year. By his junior year, he had earned a scholarship. He didn't miss a start during his junior year, either.

#3. Long is the 20^th Nebraska Cornhusker selected by the Washington Redskins all-time. That is a tie with Alabama for fourth most draft picks by the Skins from any school.

#4. Long earned first-team CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Academic All-America honors in the 2013 season. His brother, Jake, was a second-team honoree. The two are the third set of brothers in Nebraska history to both earn academic All-America awards. However they are the first to earn these honors in the same season.

#5. In his free time, Spencer would like to visit Europe. Or New Zealand.

Bottom Line: Spencer Long is not a fast guy. He’s a smart guy. He’s a versatile guy. Redskins offensive line coach, Chris Foerster told ESPN, "He’s doing a good job understanding the run game. Protection wise, he’s been solid. [But] the fog hasn’t cleared yet in regard to the plays, the specifics, the details. He has a great understanding, it’s just not all clear yet". If he can battle through a pre-med program and be a third round draft pick as a walk on for the Cornhuskers, the fog should begin to clear soon.