Bears Add Depth up the Middle With '21 CSM DT Darius Long

The Bears picked up some physically mature depth up the middle with the commitment of 6-2/300 redshirt sophomore College of San Mateo defensive tackle Darius Long today.

A 2017 graduate of Encinal, Long played seven games in 2017 at CSM but suffered a knee injury late enough in the season that he missed the 2018 season. Then when set to return to the field in 2019, Long suffered a meniscus injury right before the season that derailed 2019. Long was healed up and ready to play in 2020 only to see the JC schedule cancelled.

The Alameda native took advantage of a strong spring scrimmage and workout circuit to earn offers from Cal and Fresno State as well interest from Auburn and several other programs.

Cal was able to evaluate the film and do a workout with Long, where the soph eligible DT shined. With injuries last season to all three of their top DTs, Long will provide some welcome size, strength and physical maturity to their DT/NT position, joining junior Aaron Maldonado and redshirt sophs Ricky Correaia and Stanley McKenzie.

“We had padded spring ball with five intersquad scrimmages,” said Long. “I and some other players used the tape from those scrimmages to send to programs and Cal was one of the programs my coaches sent my film to. 

“(Former CSM and Cal OL and current on-campus recruiting director) Benji Palu was really helpful with the process and got me a workout where the coaches could see me in drills and I guess they liked what they saw in addition to my film.”

Count longtime CSM head coach Tim Tulloch a fan of the future Bear.

“You won't find a harder-working kid than Darius,” said Tulloch. “He was taking three different types of public transportation to get out here from Alameda and always worked hard to rehab from his injuries and continue to improve.

“Cal's getting a very athletic player up the middle who’s a fast-twitch kid with good feet and burst and strong hands who’s going to give them good depth and maturity in Darius.”

Long attributes his quick feet to years of playing basketball -his first love before adding football to the mix.

“I grew up playing basketball -every day, all the time, rain or shine,” said Long. “But my dad (Darius Sr) was a good player (at Encinal) when he was in high school and he challenged me to play football.

“I wasn't good at first but I stuck with it and eventuall got pretty good in high school and junior college.”

Now two years removed from his meniscus injury, Long is fully-healthy again and ready to roll.

“I met with the Cal training staff,” said Long. “My doctor who did the surgery is Dr. Hatch, one of Cal’s team doctors. The training staff and doctors are confident I’m 100%.”

Long will come in as a DT for the Bears and aims to move on campus within the next two weeks.,

“I actually came into CSN at about 290 but over the course of the summer, I dropped down to about 250 so I switched from d-tackle to d-end that season,” said Long. “I eventually bulked back up and went back to d-tackle, where I’ll play at Cal.

“Coach Browning said I have strong hands, good feet and move well for my size. I just need to come in and work and carve out a place for myself.

“It's frickin’ awesome. I”m fired up!”

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Tuitele Caps Strong Visit Weekend With Commitment to Cal

Yoon Has Outstanding Official Visit to Cal