Michigan lands four-star Los Angeles cornerback David Long
David Long, a four-star cornerback from Loyola High in Los Angeles, believes big things are in store for Michigan very soon.
The 6-foot, 175-pound Long committed to Michigan Thursday night on ESPNU. Long, who chose between Michigan and Washington, had originally been committed to Stanford.
Long was asked on ESPNU how long it will take for Michigan to compete for a national title.
“Not long at all,” Long said. “I’m going to expect every season to go in and compete for a national championship. We’re bringing in the guys. I’ll say next year. If not, the year after that. I know big things are coming to Ann Arbor.”
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh visited Long at his home earlier this week, and Long posted via social media separate videos of Harbaugh apparently climbing a tree after playing catch with Long’s younger brother. Long explained the tree climbing.
“He was playing catch with my little brother and my little sister asked if he could climb the tree,” Long said. “He never actually got up.”
Long said being recruited by Harbaugh is “crazy.”
“He’s a really loose guy, one of the loosest coaches out there,” Long said during the announcement. “A lot of people think it’s overboard what he’s doing, but I think that’s just him. It’s really natural with him. I don’t think coaches should go out of the way to do what he’s doing; that’s part of his personality.”
Experts predict where uncommitted prospects will land
Long, who also played receiver in high school, said he will definitely play cornerback for Michigan. But he hopes his participation doesn’t end there.
“Hopefully I may get some snaps on the offensive side of the ball and will work on special teams,” he said, mentioning possibly filling a similar role to current Wolverine Jabrill Peppers.
Long is ranked the No. 5 cornerback in the nation and No. 1 in California by Scout.com.
Four Michigan assistant coaches joined Jim Harbaugh on the visit to Long’s home on Monday. The others were defensive coordinator Don Brown, Chris Partridge, Jay Harbaugh and Greg Mattison.
Long said the visit "went well."
"They mostly talked with my family and it’s no need for any last-minute pitches; they’ve already laid all the cards out," Long told Brice Marich of Scout.com. "The program speaks for itself. Rating the whole visit would definitely have to be a 10."
Long added: “My family loved the visit. Harbaugh is my mom’s favorite coach and she knows absolutely nothing about football. She just likes the way he conducts himself."
Michigan now has 21 commitments and is ranked No. 3 nationally in the 247Sports composite rankings.