The Bobcats proved to be one of the better teams on the 5A level last year and a lot of that was due to Long and his play under center. I’m expecting nearly the same thing for the 2026 season with Long back to run the show and if he produces another big year, he should be right in the mix to contend for Mr. Football. The Bobcats senior is a dual threat with the ball in his hands that can carve up defenses with his arm and his legs. Long will be one of the top marked men on the 5A level that opposing teams must slow down to defeat the Bobcats. I like what Knox. Central brings to the field this year and as long as they win and Long performs at a high level, I would expect to see this East Tennessee signal caller named a Mr. Football semifinalist with a great shot at taking home the award. 

The Bobcats went 10-3 last year while making it to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs and a lot of the success was due to the emergence behind center from Long. This junior signal caller had a stellar junior year where he passed for 3,327 yards and 28 touchdowns while rushing for 1,286 yards and another 18 scores. Long produced a total of 46 touchdowns on the season and became a major catalyst behind the turn around season from the Bobcats. He also earned a place on the Mr. Football stage as a semi-finalist and will be a top contender to take the award home next year. Long also boosted his college stock in a big way and can keep pushing it higher with strong off-season development.