Virginia Linebacker Lex Long Enters Transfer Portal

Long started six games for the UVA defense in 2022, but played in only two games this season due to injury

Virginia junior linebacker Lex Long has entered the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining. Long announced the decision in a social media post on Tuesday afternoon. 

"UVA has brought me memories that I couldn't forget if I wanted to and given me friends that I'll have until the day I die," Long said. "Despite this, I have to be fair to myself in the pursuit of my dreams, by finding another opportunity."

Forever Grateful!! My recruitment is open pic.twitter.com/6dDMDQeHFh

— Langston “Lex” Long (@ll_03forever) December 5, 2023

A 6'3", 220-pound versatile defender from Woodbridge, Virginia, Long played a variety of positions across the defense during his time at UVA. Long appeared in 18 games over the last three seasons, including seven starts. He started six games in 2022 and tallied 44 tackles, two tackles for loss, two passes defended, and a forced fumble that season, seemingly setting himself up to be a major contributor for Virginia's defense this year. 

Those plans were derailed by injury, as Long played in just two games this season before undergoing a season-ending surgery for a foot injury. For his career, Long has tallied 56 total tackles, 30 of them solo stops, two tackles for loss, and three passes defended. 

Long wasn't the only Cavalier defender to enter his name into the portal on the second day of the transfer window. Junior cornerback William Simpkins III also entered the transfer portal on Tuesday. A 6'2", 179-pound defensive back, Simpkins did not appear in a single game in his first two seasons at UVA, but then played in six of Virginia's final seven games this season due to injuries in the Cavalier secondary. 

With Long and Simpkins entering the portal, Virginia has now had nine players enter the transfer portal. Keep track of all of Virginia's activity in the college football transfer portal here: Virginia Football Transfer Portal Updates

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