Top-3 tight end Hunter Long declares for 2021 NFL Draft

Sep 19, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Boston College Eagles tight end Hunter Long (80) catches a pass against Duke Blue Devils safety Marquis Waters in the fourth quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Boston College Eagles won 26-6. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Boston College Eagles tight end Hunter Long (80) catches a pass against Duke Blue Devils safety Marquis Waters in the fourth quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Boston College Eagles won 26-6. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
2021 NFL Draft
2021 NFL Draft prospect Hunter Long. The Boston College Eagles won 26-6. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports

A top tight end in the nation is off to the 2021 NFL Draft

One of the more underrated players in the country has declared for the 2021 NFL Draft as Boston College tight end Hunter Long is taking his game to the next level. This offseason, Long was identified as the best tight end in the ACC and a top-three tight end in the class by this writer.

Long has lived up to that hype this year as the 6-foot-5 and 253 pound tight end racked up 685 yards receiving and five touchdowns on 57 catches this season. The first season under the Jeff Hafley, Long took a massive step forward from the Steve Addazio era after snagging just 28 catches the year before.

He is big, strong, and athletic, and Long will find a few more suitors as he will likely impress at the NFL Scouting Combine as well.

https://twitter.com/HunterLong80/status/1339601789117612032?s=20

What Long brings to the 2021 NFL Draft

Long will likely be the third of fourth tight end off the board, behind Florida’s Kyle Pitts and Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth. He will be in contention with Miami’s Brevin Jordan as to round out the top-three, with this writer giving the edge to Long.

Some likely fits include the likes of the Washington Football Team, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Buffalo Bills. As the 2021 NFL Draft rolls nearer, it would be shocking to see Long fall out of the first two rounds this upcoming April.