For most members of Al Groh's 2004 recruiting class, this fall will be one of their first opportunities to grab national attention and make a name for themselves. But for Chris Long, attention and name recognition are not exactly out of the ordinary.
Long, the 6'4", 265-pound son of Hall of Famer Howie Long, has long been the focus of attention and has long tried to refocus that attention.
"It's hard early when you go somewhere to an away game and you don't understand why you're hearing all this stuff about your dad," Long said. "You're like, 'What does this have to do with me?'"
In the case of this father-son duo, the hype may prove to have a lot to do with Chris. Some of the familial similarities are uncanny. Chris and Howie are similar in size, athleticism and charisma and position preference. Even Chris, who is reluctant to stand in his father's shadow, is willing to admit to a host of likenesses.
"I think when we get down in a stance we look the same -- it's actually kind of weird," Chris said. "Our explosiveness is pretty much the same -- and strength in the leg and getting off the ball fast."
When asked about the similarities between father and son, John Blake, Long's coach at St. Anne's Belfield, said, "Have you ever seen him?" Looks aside, Blake also cited their similar personalities, which he described as down to earth, talkative, humble, focused and fun-loving.
But genes may not be the only benefit to being Howie Long's kid. Virginia defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Mike London has no doubt that Chris's desire to distinguish himself from his father will push him to achieve.
"Chris wants to be recognized as his own individual and he wants to create his own identity," London said. "I'm sure when he gets here he'll establish that in some way."
Blake also said that Chris can take advantage of the opportunities made available to him and prove himself.
"Everyone is always going to say that Chris made it because of his dad," Blake said. "I told him to let them say that, just go prove them something different. For all the doors his dad's name has opened I'm sure he'll make the most of them."
Chris also said that setting himself apart from his last name has been important to him.
"It's been a driving force because you're trying to make a name for yourself so you're Chris Long, not Howie Long's kid," he said. "I just want to gain respect for who I am, not who my dad is."
Whatever the driving force for Long, he has certainly made changes in himself and improved, according to Blake.
"He has worked harder [at STAB] than any athlete I've ever been around," Blake said. "When he first came he could hardly walk and chew gum. He was just a tall, lanky kid and he was clumsy. But he's made himself an athlete, he has made himself better."
By becoming the earliest commitment in Virginia football history, Long has already made a name for himself at the University. After years of relationship-building with Virginia recruiters, the Charlottesville resident and St. Anne's Belfield star committed to the Cavaliers on Nov. 4, 2002.
Long gave a laundry list of reasons why he chose Virginia, including academics, the football program, effective recruiting and location.
"I have two little brothers so I wanted to be able to be in town and be a part of their lives," Long said.
As enthusiastic as Long was about Virginia, London was equally animated about the incoming freshman.
"He's the kind of guy we're attracted to as a program -- he's tough, he's aggressive, he's relentless and he has a passion for the game," London said. "And it was a mutual attraction. Having been around the program for awhile and him living right in our backyard it just made sense."
According to Blake, Long's little brothers say he loves football so much they have to watch out in the hallways of their house or they will get tackled. It also kept Long's high school teammates on their toes.
"He's like the energizer bunny," Blake said. "For someone that big, his motor is always going. And everyone else's motor tries to keep up with him -- you really have to or you'll just get pummeled."
Long says he prefers to play defensive end, but he's touted as equally capable of playing on the offensive line.
"We just recruited him as a lineman," London said. "We're fighting over him in terms of where we want him to be, but we'll just try to see where he'll help the team the best."
Not only does Long's position remain up in the air, his first-year contribution level is also far from guaranteed. London said that while Long has the talent to contribute, it is too early make a call about an incoming freshman.
"If I'm not ready, I would think they'd redshirt me," Long said. "But if I'm ready, I'm not averse to playing."
The pressure of being Howie Long's son is something that used to bother him more, he said. "But I think that's where I've come the furthest in learning to handle that kind of pressure. As you become more mature you can just laugh at stuff like that. It'll help me to handle the pressure of being a Division I athlete."
Like the less athletically-inclined members of the class of 2008, Long will also have to learn to adjust to the pressures of college academics. After four years at STAB, however, he's fairly confident he can handle it. Long said that balancing football, basketball, lacrosse and the rigorous academics of his prep school helped him prepare.
"I definitely learned how to manage my time," he said. "Which I think will be very valuable to me here at U.Va."
While, like the majority of his classmates, Long is not completely sure what he wants to major in, he says he's interested in psychology and sports journalism.
"I'm taking pretty basic classes -- getting my feet wet," he said. "I like to write but I don't know, it's pretty wide open right now."
Long says his father is very positive about his college choice.
"He really likes U.Va. and wants me to get a good education. After all, not everyone will play after college."
Blake was slightly more confident about Long's professional chances.
"I think if he continues to develop the way he has the past couple years, I think the sky is the limit for Chris," his former coach said.
Who knows -- maybe in a couple years, Long's assertion that his father is "obviously way better than me" will fade to a simple "like father, like son."
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