From Michigan's trenches to the NFL's first overall pick
In short: Before becoming a top NFL draft selection, Jake Long survived a harrowing house fire and overcame multiple surgeries. His journey from a multi-sport standout at Lapeer East High School to a dominant offensive tackle for the Michigan Wolverines is a testament to physical resilience and elite athletic versatility.
Born in Lapeer, Michigan, on May 9, 1985, Jake Long established himself as a rare multi-sport talent during his high school years. At Lapeer East, he was a standout in football, basketball, and baseball, even earning All-State "Dream Team" honors in football. His physical presence was notable early on; as a junior, he stood 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighed 270 pounds, eventually reaching 290 pounds by the end of his basketball season.
Long's collegiate career at the University of Michigan was marked by both immense success and significant adversity. In June 2004, he survived a house fire that left him hospitalized in intensive care with smoke inhalation injuries. Despite such setbacks, including ankle and foot injuries that required surgery, he became a cornerstone of the Wolverines' offensive line. He was named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2006 and 2007, receiving consensus first-team All-American status in 2006 and unanimous All-American honours in 2007.
His collegiate dominance led to him being selected with the first overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. Moving straight into professional football, he played in every game during his debut year and secured Pro Bowl selections throughout 2009, 2010, and 2011. Throughout his career, he proved his ability to protect the quarterback's blindside, a role he transitioned to during his spring practice in 2006.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Jake Long
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