Clemson Football: Throwback Thursday – Stacy Long

Throwback Thursday remembers great Tiger athletes of the past. Today’s edition remembers one of the most dominant offensive linemen to play for Clemson Football.

Stacy Long – Offensive Tackle, 1986-90

• 2X All-American
• 1990 finalist for the Outland Trophy
• 141 knockdown blocks in his career

Quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers often get the glory, but it’s usually the men up front that make it possible for them to shine. Stacy Long may not have gotten the attention, but he was a huge reason so many Clemson offensive players were able to make a name for themselves.

Long played high school football in Griffin, Georgia. He committed to play football at Clemson for head coach Danny Ford. He redshirted in 1986, playing from 1987-90. During that time, Clemson won 40 games, which was the fourth best record of any program during those years.

Long is the only Clemson offensive tackle to be named as an All-American in back-to-back seasons. He was a first-team All-American by The Sporting News as a junior in 1989, in what turned out to be Ford’s final season as Clemson’s head coach. The Tigers finished 10-2 and defeated West Virginia in the Gator Bowl.

Long followed up that performance with a consensus first-team All-American selection in 1990 for new head coach Ken Hatfield. The Tigers again went 10-2 and defeated Illinois in the Hall of Fame Bowl.

Long finished his Clemson career with 141 knockdown blocks, which was a record at the time. He was selected as an ACC Player of the Week six times in his career.

Stacy Long was one of the best linemen to ever play for Clemson Football

He was a finalist for the Outland Trophy in 1990, alongside Miami’s Russell Maryland and Colorado’s Joe Garten. Long was only the second Tiger to ever be a finalist for the award.

Long was drafted in the 11th round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, but injuries cut his pro career short.

Long returned to Clemson to finish his degree in 1995. He was inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame in the 2004 Class.