MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — David Long’s impact on West Virginia’s linebackers is easy enough to measure on paper. The 84 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks tell that story.
But the truest measure of his impact is that it has continued regardless of the rotating cast that has played next to him all season. Injuries have forced the Mountaineers to turn to three middle linebackers – Dylan Tonkery, Shea Campbell and Zach Sandwisch.
Defensive coordinator Tony Gibson credits Long and all three Mike linebackers for their ability to stay on the same page. That’s not easy for the guys in the middle, considering Long frequently ends up in places a guy from the outside normally wouldn’t.