Colorado State University Athletics
Long Named to Jason Witten Man of the Year Watch List
9/30/2025 10:00:00 AM | Football
Honor recognizes exemplary leadership by a college football player
FORT COLLINS – Colorado State's Owen Long has been named to the watch list for the ninth annual Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award, the organization announced on Tuesday.
Long is one of 67 players across college football to be named to the watch list for the Witten Award, which recognizes the top leaders in college football on an annual basis.
During fall camp, Long was voted one of Colorado State's six captains by his teammates. Just a 19-year old sophomore, Long became the youngest captain ever selected on a Jay Norvell team. Despite his youth, Long's commands a strong presence as the leader of CSU's defensive unit. The Whittier, Calif., native is currently the leading tackler in the nation, averaging 13.0 total tackles per contest.
His leadership extends beyond the field of play as Long has shown an inspiring work ethic in the weight room, adding 35 pounds over the offseason. Outside of football, Long is active in the community by volunteering his time with the Boys & Girls Club, the Colorado State chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and has helped run girls flag football camps.
The Witten Collegiate Man of the Year, presented by Albertsons and Tom Thumb, is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player's leadership, both on and off the field. Leadership is a term synonymous with Jason Witten, who, in addition to becoming one of the best tight ends in the history of the sport, served as one of football's most prominent role models during his 16-year pro career.
Twenty semifinalists will be selected by a by a subset of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Selection Committee and announced on October 14. Three finalists will then be named for the award on Monday, December 15. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony at The Star in Frisco, Texas, on April 16, 2026.
The winner of the award will also receive a $10,000 contribution in his name to his school's athletic scholarship fund. The contribution will be made by Jason Witten's SCORE Foundation, the official charity of Jason and his wife Michelle.
Long and the Rams are on the road this week as they take on San Diego State at Snapdragon Stadium on Oct. 3. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. MT. Fans can stay up to date on all things Colorado State Football by downloading the CSU Rams App and following @CSUFootball on social media.
