Boston College Junior Declares For The NFL Draft

CHESTNUT HILL, MA — A Boston College junior is ending his collegiate playing career to enter the 2021 NFL Draft.

Tight end Hunter Long finished that football career at Boston College as one of the most accomplished tight ends in school history, according to the school's athletics department.

"Playing in the NFL has been a dream of mine since as early as I can remember," Long, a junior, said in a statement on Twitter. “I am officially entering my name for the 2021 NFL Draft... "The journey is just beginning."

Long, a New Hampshire native, was a standout at Boston College and is considered the top receiving tight end in the country this year.

He leads all tight ends nationally in receptions with 57 and with 685 receiving yards, and ranked eighth among all tight ends with five touchdown receptions, according to the school's athletics department.

He finished second in Boston College single-season history for receptions by a tight end, trailing only former Consensus All-America tight end Pete Mitchell's 66 receptions in 1993, the school said.

"We could not be happier and more supportive of Hunter's decision to enter the NFL Draft," said Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley in a statement. "Hunter has been a terrific ambassador on and off the field for our program, and we can't wait to watch him play on Sundays."

For his career, Long finished with 89 receptions for 1,297 yards and nine touchdowns. Long led Boston College with 509 receiving yards in 2019. He finished the season with 28 receptions and two receiving touchdowns. His 72-yard touchdown reception at Louisville was the longest reception of his career a year ago.