Colorado State head coach Jay Norvell’s praise for linebacker Owen Long began last fall and continued through spring ball and fall camp.
Through the first three games of the 2025 season, the sophomore from Whittier, Calif., has lived up to every positive statement made about him by his coach.
Last season, Long played in all 13 games for the Rams but didn’t make a start until the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. He finished the season with 45 tackles.
The CSU coaching staff was already taking notice, which is why after the Rams had some defensive players enter the transfer portal before the bowl game, they felt Long was ready to start.
He has proven he was ready then and that he is ready now to lead the Rams’ defense.
“Owen has got a natural nose for the football,” Norvell said as the Rams prepared to host Washington State on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. “We saw that when he was in high school. Owen was one of the last guys we recruited. He was a safety in high school. He’s a baseball player and a natural athlete. Wherever the ball goes, he’s going to find it. And some guys are just like that. That’s what makes him such a natural linebacker, especially for the defense that we’re playing.”
Long comes from a family of baseball players. His father played at Azusa Pacific, and two of his brothers either have played or are currently playing collegiate baseball.
At La Serna High School, Long played baseball as well. But it was football where he excelled the most, earning league, division, area and all-state honors. He made 39 tackles his senior year as a defensive back.
He brought that same competitiveness and potential to CSU. After showing off his abilities as a freshman, he said he spent a lot of time in the weight room as well as learning his position and being able to play at a high pace and tempo.
That has shown. He made a career-high 13 tackles in the Rams’ season-opener at Washington. He followed that up with 11 against Northern Colorado, and then he flew past his old mark and had 14 against UTSA last Saturday.
He also had a fumble recovery in Week 2 against the Bears and leads the nation with 12.7 tackles per game.
Before the season started, he was named one of the team’s captains, a show of respect from his teammates who voted him in as one.
Long was showing off his leadership skills even before that. With all the new faces on the Rams’ defense this season, he was considered a veteran of the group.
In August, he said he didn’t see himself as one of the younger players on the team despite only being a sophomore.
“I want to be someone people can look up to and look to when they need help,” he said.
Only a sophomore, he has an opportunity to get even better than he is now.
“Owen has been incredible,” Norvell said. “In three games, he has been everywhere, sideline to sideline. So proud of his progress as a player and how he’s developing.
“He’s got a chance to be a special player, no question.”
Long will get a chance to add to his tackle total Saturday when the Rams (1-2) face the Cougars (2-2), a future Pac-12 opponent, at Canvas Stadium.
Scouting the Cougars
Washington State enters Saturday’s game with a 2-2 record after losing its second game in a row last Saturday, 59-24, to Washington.
The Cougars are led offensively by quarterback Zevi Eckhaus, who has passed for 351 yards and two touchdowns. Eckhaus replaced Jaxon Potter at quarterback two weeks ago against North Texas, and was the primary quarterback last week against Washington.
Kirby Vorhees leads the ground attack with 132 yards, and Joshua Meredith is the team’s leading receiver with 195 yards and a touchdown.
“They are a multiple offensive team,” Norvell said. “They’re playing a new quarterback. They played with more continuity and consistency (last week). So, I would imagine they would continue down that path.
“They’ve done a good job traditionally with their defense. We’re going to have to be sharp and continue to build on a lot of the things we did (last) Saturday.”
Defensively, safety Matthew Durrance and linebacker Parker McKenna lead the team with 23 tackles each. McKenna has a sack, and Durrance has a forced fumble.
This is only the fourth meeting between the teams, who will be Pac-12 foes next fall. The Cougars lead the series 2-1, with both wins coming in the past two contests. Washington State won 38-7 in 2022 at home and 50-24 in 2023 at Canvas Stadium.
Injury report
Norvell announced that team captain and redshirt senior defensive lineman Mukendi Wa-Kalonji suffered a knee injury against UTSA and will miss the remainder of the season.
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His presence will be missed, Norvell said.
“We hate to see Mukendi gone,” Norvell said. “He’s been a captain. He’s been such a great player for us and a great leader.”
Wa-Kalonji is the second CSU defensive lineman to suffer a season-ending injury. Gabe Jones, a redshirt sophomore transfer from New Mexico State, suffered a similar injury in the season opener against Washington.
Norvell also said wide receiver Jordan Ross and tight end Jaxxon Warren could be back this week after missing the game against UTSA.
“Hopefully we’ll have an opportunity to get them back this week,” Norvell said. “If not, maybe next week.”
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