Braheem Long Jr., Syracuse DB: the 2026 season story
Braheem Long Jr. is a junior defensive back for Syracuse (ACC). He ranks 1260th of 1,841 defensive backs in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every defensive back on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Knowing the one or two things a player does best, and where he is ordinary, says more than any single total. Braheem Long Jr.'s strongest measure is tackles per game at 4.1, 301st of 921 (the average is 3.7). His weakest is interceptions per game at 0.00, 397th of 921 (the average is 0.08).
Season production
Why it matters. Totals reward staying healthy and getting the ball; per-game numbers show how much he really carries each week. His tackles per game, 4.1, ranks 301st among 921 ranked defensive backs.
Against every defensive back
Why it matters. Splitting the measures into how much, how well and how many big plays shows what kind of defensive back he is. Among ranked defensive backs he sits, on average, in the 67th percentile for volume, 25th for efficiency and 16th for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. A season average can hide a player who is great one week and absent the next; game by game shows how dependable he is. Over 9 games, Braheem Long Jr.'s best came in week 1 against New Hampshire and his quietest in week 5 at UConn.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. Where and how a player makes his plays shows how his team uses him and what a defense has to take away.
National and conference
Why it matters. A national rank shows how a player stacks up beyond his own league, where the competition can be very different. Braheem Long Jr. is 715th of 921 FBS defensive backs and 78th of 106 in the ACC. Next up nationally is Donmiel Rogers of Eastern Michigan, 0.00 ahead on the index.
Career
Why it matters. Past seasons show whether this year is a breakout, a steady climb or a step back. His best season by the Player Index was 2025 at Syracuse, 692nd of 1,153 defensive backs.
Defensive backs like him
Why it matters. Comparing a player with his closest statistical matches puts his season in context beyond the rankings. His closest match this season is Hudson Altenburg of Davidson.
