A.J. Long, whose football career at Syracuse was cut short after a concussion, is once again shining on the field, this time at West Chester University, writes John Smallwood for the Philadelphia Daily News.

A native of the Lehigh Valley, Long attended Pius X in Bangor before transferring to Friendship Christian Academy in Tennessee for his senior year of high school.

As a true freshman at Syracuse in 2014, he started five games and threw for 935 yards and four touchdowns. During the next season’s training camp, however, Long suffered a concussion and the program never cleared him to play.

After Syracuse medically disqualified him, Long spent 2016 at Wagner College on Staten Island, N.Y., but did not play. WCU then entered the picture, as Long had two cousins playing for the Golden Rams.

Having been cleared to play by an independent neurologist, he’s now one of the most dynamic players in NCAA’s Division II.

“I’m trying,” he said. “I’ve left some plays on the field, but it definitely feels good to be getting back in the groove of being able to play and being a starting quarterback.”

In six games for the undefeated Golden Rams, the redshirt junior has passed for 1,434 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has also rushed for a team-high 400 yards, including five touchdowns.

Long is on pace to become one of 10 finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy, Division II’s version of the Heisman Trophy.

“I don’t think I’ve played my best football yet,” he said.

Read more about A.J. Long in the Philadelphia Daily News here.

[uam_ad id=”80503″]

.

[uam_ad id=”80502″]