The Salina Liberty indoor professional team has a new addition to their roster.
On Saturday, the organization announced the signing of linebacker Brock Long. Long, a native of Assaria, is a graduate of Southeast of Saline High School and Fort Hays State University.
In his Senior season with Fort Hays State, Long put up big numbers as a starting linebacker, earning big honors by being named to the Associated Press Little All-America Team. He was selected as one of the top three linebackers in the nation for NCAA Divisions II and III, along with the NAIA. That group includes nearly 500 schools nationwide.
Long set a new school record for tackles in a season with 171, passing the former mark of 164 set by Alex Whitehill in 2011. But aside from the tackles, Long’s all-around defensive efforts were paramount in the eyes of the national media. Upon completion of the Mineral Water Bowl, Long finished the year with 21.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and four forced fumbles to go with his 171 tackles. He ranked fourth nationally in total tackles, 13th in tackles for loss, 17th in sacks, and seventh in forced fumbles. It is rare to see a linebacker inside the top 20 of all four of those categories nationally.
Recently, Long was named an All-America First Team selection by D2CCA. He also earned Associated Press Little All-America First Team honors. He led the team in tackles in 9 of out the Tigers 12 games in the 2015 season. He averaged 14.3 tackles per game and reached double figures in tackles 10 times.
Long ranks fifth on the career tackles list for the NCAA era at FHSU with 264, accomplishing this feat in just two years. He is tied for 10th on the career sacks (13.5) and career tackles for loss (26.0) lists at FHSU for the NCAA era. For single-season accomplishments at FHSU, he is now the record holder for tackles and tackles for loss, while tying for second in sacks.
He joins a defense that already includes former Salina Bombers standouts Isiah Barfield and Ira Autrey, as well as rookie defense backs Darelle Taylor from Castleton College and Dontr’a Matthews from the University of Virginia-Lynchburg. The Liberty also recently added rookie defense lineman Ed Ngong from Bethel College.
Offensively, the Liberty have already signed quarterback Kyle Cool, wide receiver Terrence Lowe, and running back/wide receiver Ed Smith as well as former Bombers wide receivers Attrail Snipes and Pelton Smalls. The offensive line will include former Salina Bomber standout Ed Prince.
The Liberty will hold their second open tryout session at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 17th at the Salina Bicentennial Center. More information on the tryouts can be found at SalinaLiberty.com.