South Rowan (China Grove, N.C.) punter Marshall Long had scheduled official visits to Georgia and Virginia Tech the weekends of January 22-24 and January 29-31. The 6’4″, 225-pound senior has decided, however, that he doesn’t need those visits after all. Earlier this evening, Long, a U.S. Army All-American, announced he will attend Virginia Tech.
After much prayer and thought, I am blessed enough to say I've committed to Virginia Tech… https://t.co/BwSwtbXYWh
— Marshall Long (@marshall_long) January 15, 2016
Long impressed former Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer at camp in the summer of 2015, and last month he received a scholarship offer from new Hokies head coach Justin Fuente. Meanwhile, Georgia offered a recruited walk-on spot and was considering a scholarship offer. A gut feeling put Tech over the top.
“I decided to commit because Blacksburg felt like home,” Long wrote in a Twitter direct message to TechSideline.com. “I can see myself there for the next 4 years under coach Shibest and Fuente. I’m excited to get there.”
The 2015 season was only the third year punting for Long, who turned in an excellent senior season performance. The product of natural talent and hard work, he averaged 46.5 yards per punt with a long of 75 yards.
“I would say [punting] came natural because my dad punted in high school, but I also worked really hard over the last three years to be one of the top punters in the nation,” wrote Long, who estimates he has competed in 25 camps the past few offseasons. “Hard work is something my dad showed me and I knew that was the only way to succeed. I couldn’t rely solely on natural talent.”
Virginia Tech now has 18 recruits in the class of 2016. Eight of those prospects are expected to enroll in the spring semester, which begins next week. Long becomes the first special teams prospect to commit to Tech in this class.
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Wow, Fuente 1 – Shane Beamer- 0
Thanks, I’ll be singing Doobie Brothers all day now.
Welcome Mr. Long and yes Blacksburg does feel like home. Punting is a major part of the game and we are excited to have you on board. You are going to love Virginia Tech and the Hokie Nation!!! Excited over this news because the kicking game is so important in this sport.
Hopefully the position of punter will be marginalized with Feunte’s offense!
Expect nothing but Long punts from this guy!!
I’ll be here all week.
I cannot believe I’m jazzed about a punter — but welcome to Hokie Nation!
Welcome Sir!
Welcome Mr. Long. The quality is going to start pouring into Blacksburg now that we have a crack coaching staff that will be here for the foreseeable future. Bright future ahead for the Hokies.
Congratulations Marshall Long! Welcome Home! Can’t wait for you to meet the rest of your Hokie family!!!
Welcome aboard, Mr. Long!
…but hopefully we won’t need your services as often as in the past. Especially not from the opponent’s 40!
How about from the Ga Tech 33? for a 13 yard punt promptly to give up an 80 yard drive before half for GT to go up 2 scores and us to never be in striking distance the rest of the game. I know, let it go, let it go.
Go Hokies!
I know, right??? Grrrrr.
Hey guys, any other prospects you’d like to write an article about!? Yesterday’s article seems to have worked! Any articles on 5-star LBs you can dash off tomorrow morning!?
At 6′ 4″, 225, maybe the punter could be a Mike prospect?
A great punter can be a weapon, and with his size he’ll be a force on coverage as well