Hunter Long Bio
Hunter Long (born August 19, 1998) is an American professional football tight end for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing about 243 pounds, Long plays a position that combines the blocking duties of a lineman with the pass-catching responsibilities of a receiver. He attended Boston College, where he became one of the top tight ends in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) before entering the NFL.
Long was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round (81st overall) of the 2021 NFL draft after a productive college career. He later spent time with the Los Angeles Rams before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars. Through the 2025 season, Long had recorded 20 receptions for 153 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Hunter Long was born on August 19, 1998, in Exeter, New Hampshire, and grew up in the same small New England town. He comes from a region known for producing dedicated football players who often develop their skills through local programs before moving on to prep schools and collegiate programs. His size and athleticism made him a natural fit for the tight end position from a young age.
Long graduated from Exeter High School before doing a postgraduate year at Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts. At both schools, he played tight end and defensive end, demonstrating his versatility on both sides of the ball. As a senior at Exeter, he recorded 30 receptions for 508 yards with two touchdowns on offense and added seven sacks as a pass rusher, drawing attention from college recruiters. Following his prep career, Long committed to Boston College to play college football.
Path to the NFL
Long redshirted his first year at Boston College in 2017, preserving a year of eligibility while adjusting to the college level. He became a regular contributor the following season, appearing in 12 games during the 2018 campaign. In that breakout year, he caught four passes for 103 yards and scored two touchdowns, offering a glimpse of his potential as a receiving tight end.
Long’s role expanded steadily in 2019, when he recorded 28 receptions for 509 yards and two touchdowns, earning Third-team All-ACC honors. He returned as the starting tight end in 2020 and produced his best collegiate season, hauling in 57 receptions for 685 yards and five touchdowns. His performance that year earned him First-team All-ACC recognition and Second-team All-American honors, establishing him as one of the top tight end prospects in the 2021 NFL draft class.
Hunter Long Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Hunter Long was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round, 81st overall, of the 2021 NFL draft, becoming one of the first tight ends taken that year. He signed his four-year rookie contract with Miami on July 26, 2021, and joined a roster that featured established veterans at his position. As a rookie and sophomore, Long worked primarily on special teams and in a developmental role behind the Dolphins’ top tight ends.
During his time in Miami, Long appeared in regular-season games and contributed on special teams while continuing to refine his blocking and route-running skills. Although his offensive production was limited behind a deep tight end room, the experience allowed him to adjust to the speed and complexity of the professional game. His Dolphins tenure concluded when the franchise made a major roster move in March 2023.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2023–2024)
On March 15, 2023, Hunter Long was traded, along with a 2023 third-round draft pick previously acquired from the New England Patriots, to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for star cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The trade gave Long a fresh opportunity in a different offensive system under head coach Sean McVay. He joined a Rams team rebuilding its roster after their Super Bowl LVI triumph.
Long was placed on injured reserve on September 9, 2023, with a thigh injury and was later activated on November 14 of the same year, working his way back into game shape. His most memorable moment as a Ram came on December 8, 2024, when he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 22-yard blocked punt return during the Rams’ dramatic 44–42 win over the Buffalo Bills. That play marked a milestone in his young career and showed his willingness to contribute in multiple phases of the game.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2025–Present)
On March 12, 2025, Hunter Long signed a two-year, $3 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joining a franchise looking to bolster its tight end group. The move provided him with a fresh start and a clearer path to offensive snaps in a new scheme. Through the early portion of the 2025 season, he has been listed as an active member of the Jaguars’ roster wearing number 84.
Long has continued to serve as a depth tight end and special teams contributor in Jacksonville, working to carve out a larger role in the passing game. His combination of size, blocking ability, and red-zone potential gives the Jaguars a versatile option at the position. With his contract running through the 2027 season, he has time to develop into a more prominent part of the offense.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although tight ends do not drive vehicles on the field, Long brings a physical, downhill style that translates well to his role as both a blocker and a receiver. He uses his 6-foot-5 frame to shield defenders on shorter routes and to box out linebackers in the red zone. His willingness to play through contact and contribute on special teams reflects a blue-collar approach that coaches value.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Hunter Long’s professional career came on December 8, 2024, when he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 22-yard blocked punt return against the Buffalo Bills. That play, which helped the Rams secure a wild 44–42 victory, highlighted his special teams value and athleticism. Earlier milestones included his selection as the 81st overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft and his Second-team All-American honor in 2020.
Hunter Long Career Wins
Hunter Long’s career accomplishments are measured more in production, milestones, and team success than in individual victories on the stat sheet. As a tight end, his statistical totals include 20 receptions for 153 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns through the 2025 NFL season. He has also contributed to multiple team wins as a blocker and special teams player throughout his time with the Dolphins, Rams, and Jaguars.
College Highlights
During his college career at Boston College, Long put together some of the most productive seasons ever recorded by a tight end in the program. In 2020, he caught 57 passes for 685 yards and five touchdowns, earning First-team All-ACC and Second-team All-American honors. His 2019 campaign, in which he recorded 28 receptions for 509 yards and two touchdowns, earned him Third-team All-ACC recognition, setting the stage for his breakout senior season.
Professional Highlights
Long’s most memorable professional play remains his 22-yard blocked punt return touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in December 2024. Beyond that single play, he has appeared in games for three NFL franchises and contributed as a rotational tight end and special teams player. Through the 2025 season, his career stat line includes 20 receptions for 153 yards and two touchdowns, reflecting a still-developing role at the professional level.
Hunter Long Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Hunter Long was raised in Exeter, New Hampshire, a community with a strong tradition of high school football. He developed his early athletic foundation in that environment before attending Deerfield Academy for a postgraduate year. His path through Exeter High School and Deerfield Academy reflects a classic New England football upbringing focused on discipline, fundamentals, and team play.
Personal Life
Long maintains a relatively private personal life away from football. He is active on social media, where fans can follow his career through his official Instagram account. His current residence is based in the Jacksonville, Florida, area as a member of the Jaguars organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a new chapter for Hunter Long after he signed a two-year, $3 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on March 12, 2025. Wearing jersey number 84, he entered training camp competing for a role in a tight end room that was being reshaped during the offseason. Early in the year, he focused on establishing himself as a reliable blocker and a dependable special teams contributor.
As the season progressed, Long continued to earn opportunities in the passing game while serving on multiple special teams units. His experience with the Dolphins and Rams gave him a clear understanding of the day-to-day demands of an NFL roster spot. Coaches valued his size, work ethic, and willingness to embrace the less glamorous parts of the position.
Looking ahead, Long has the chance to expand his offensive role in Jacksonville as he becomes more comfortable with the Jaguars’ scheme. With his contract running through the 2027 season, the organization has time to develop him into a more featured part of the tight end rotation. If he can stay healthy and continue to produce in key situations, he could develop into a regular red-zone target for the Jaguars’ quarterbacks.
