Long Ding (born February 11, 1988) is a Chinese college athlete who plays American football as kicker. He was originally a member of the IFAF/USA Football International Student Program,[1] before entering college football after his arrival in the United States in 2007.

Long Ding
Personal information
Born: (1988-02-11) February 11, 1988 (age 36)
Qingdao, China
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:209 lb (95 kg)
Career information
College:Norwich University
Position:Kicker
Undrafted:2012
Career history

Early life

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Ding is a native of Qingdao, China.

College career

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Dean College

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After his arrival in the US, Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts was the first team that Ding represented before moving onto Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont.[2]

Norwich University

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In 2011, while still a student at Norwich University, Ding was named a finalist for the Fred Mitchell Award.[3] At Norwich, Ding attempted sixteen field goals, making thirteen, with the longest distance to goal measured at 51 yards (47 m).[4] Ding was also active as a defensive player, recording nineteen tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks.

Professional career

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NFL Combine

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He was scouted during the NFL Regional Combine in New York City, as well as the NFL Super Regional Combine in Detroit. He later went on to go undrafted in the 2012 NFL draft.

Jacksonville Jaguars

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In May 2012, Ding was invited to a tryout at rookie mini-camp for the Jacksonville Jaguars, along with twenty-six others.[5][6][7][8][9][10] Ding stated that he just wants to show the NFL that he has the ability to kick at that level.[11][12] The Jaguars did not sign Ding to a contract.

References

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  1. ^ Gregg Rosenthal (May 1, 2012). "Chinese kicker Long Ding will try out for Jaguars". NFL. NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  2. ^ Vito Stellino (May 4, 2012). "A Long journey from China to Jaguars". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  3. ^ "Eastern Collegiate Football Conference : Long Ding named finalist for Fred Mitchell Award". Easterncollegiatefootball.com. September 30, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
  4. ^ Staff (2011). "Long Ding | #99 – K – Norwich". ECFC - Eastern Collegiate Football Conference. NCAA Division III. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  5. ^ "Chinese kicker Long Ding, joins Jaguars mini-camp". NFL.com. May 1, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
  6. ^ Sports, The (May 1, 2012). "Long Ding gets tryout with Jaguars - Yahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
  7. ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars trying out Jordan Palmer, Chinese kicker". NFL.com. May 1, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
  8. ^ "NFL Jaguars giving kicker Long Ding of China a tryout". USA Today. May 1, 2012.
  9. ^ Jason Lisk (April 30, 2012). "Jacksonville Jaguars Invite Kicker Long Ding To Camp". The Big Lead. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
  10. ^ "Jaguars kicker Long Ding hopes to make China proud". NFL.com. May 5, 2012. Archived from the original on May 8, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
  11. ^ "One-on-one: Long Ding". Jaguars.com. July 17, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
  12. ^ "Long DINGSANITY! - Campus News - The Norwich Guidon - Norwich University". The Norwich Guidon. March 9, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
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