Difficult as it is to fathom, spring practices are just a little more than a month away for the 2010 WSU Cougar football team.

Expectations are high heading into Head Coach Paul Wulff’s third season at the helm as the Cougars return some young talent on both sides of the ball.

Pac-10 honorable mention recipient and Cougar defensive leader Travis Long took time out of his day to talk about the Cougs.

Long represents the prototypical recruit that Wulff and his staff go after. Long displayed his athleticism, character and huge upside throughout his freshman year.

Described by his friend and Gonzaga Prep teammate Kyle Mumma as a “respectable, dignified and hard working guy,” Long showed why the future is bright for the crimson and gray defense in a wide-ranging interview.

Q: Congrats on an impressive freshman campaign. What was the biggest adjustment you had to make jumping from high school football to playing in the Pac-10?

A: Probably just the size of everybody. I was no longer the biggest guy on the field. Also, the speed of all the players was tough to adjust to.

Q: 2009 was disappointing for players and fans alike. How have off-season workouts been progressing thus far? What players have made the most gains?

A: All of us are working hard in the weight room five days a week. Coach (Darin) Lovat is pushing us harder than ever. Darren Markle is one of the strongest guys I’ve ever seen, and Alex Hoffman-Ellis is a beast.

Q: Have you guys set any team goals for the 2010 season thus far? If so, what are they?

A: We haven’t really set any major goals yet, but we’d obviously like to make it to a bowl game next year.

Q: What aspect of Cougar football do you feel will be most improved in 2010?

A: Everything is going to be better, but on the offensive and defensive lines we will be a lot bigger and stronger, which should help us a lot.

Q: Talk a little bit about the team dynamics. What guys on the team have the best sense of humor? Who talks the most smack?

A: I don’t know, we have a lot of funny guys on the team. The one with the most energy is Jamal Atofau. Jeff Tuel is a big smack-talker, though.

Q: If you had to compare yourself to any player in the NFL, past or present, who would it be?

A: I’d like to model my game after Jared Allen, especially if I could grow a mullet like him.

Q: Not to jinx anything here, but the football team has stayed out of the police logs of the Evergreen for the first time in a couple years. Is this a sign we may be turning the corner, on and off the field?

A: Yeah, we have gotten rid of guys who have caused trouble. The guys on the team now are committed to doing things the right away. The guys Coach Wulff are bringing in are good guys with really high character.

Q: Enough with football talk. Students want to know what the top three played songs on your iPod right now are?

A: To be honest I really like Taylor Swift. I listen to all kinds of music, but my top three songs are (”Drop the World”), “Ice Cream Paint Job” and “Swag Surfing” by Lil Wayne.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do other than sack quarterbacks?

A: I like hanging out with the boys, going to the lake in the summer and just chilling by my buddy Kyle’s pool.

Q: Being a defensive star on the football team sometimes entails being flocked to by beautiful women. What’s your go-to pick up line?

A: No comment.