Linebacker talks Illini, recruiting
3-star linebacker David Long from Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods has an Illinois offer and is hearing from the Illini regularly. Long ranks as the No. 18 inside linebacker in the nation according to Rivals.com.
Tight ends coach Alex Golesh recruits the Cincinnati area for the Illini and is the lead recruiter for Long, who checks in at 5-foot-11, 209 pounds.
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"Coach Golesh is really cool and we are close," Long said. "I talk to him every once in a while, and he came to my school once this year. Illinois was my first offer."
The Illini staff would like to get Long on campus for a visit during spring practices, which kick off this Wednesday at Memorial Stadium. Long plans to make the trip west to Champaign, but he hasn't yet locked in a specific day.
Other visits are also on tap for Long, who has offers from Cincinnati, Kentucky, NC State, West Virginia, and others. Interest is coming from Notre Dame and Auburn.
"Illinois sent me their practice schedule so I just have to pick out a date," Long said. "North Carolina State and West Virginia are two schools I'm hearing a lot from. And I just heard from Michigan State again. Auburn has been in touch, and I'm going down there this weekend."
Long claims no favorites so far. Recent unofficial visits include West Virginia and Kentucky. His plan is to trim his list over the next few months, with a final decision late in 2014.
"It depends on how my recruitment goes over the summer," Long said. "I will probably have a list of favorites before the season. Then I will probably make a decision during the season, or after the season."
Long would likely fit at the Will linebacker or hybrid "star" position at Illinois, depending how much he bulks up over the next year. Tenacity is his calling card on the field, according to Long.
"I play with an attitude, and a chip on my shoulder," he said. "Coaches like how fast I play."
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