Longshore graduated from Canyon High School in 2004. He set ten school passing records and rang up 6,750 yards and 64 touchdown passes during his career. Rivals.com rated him the No. 8 "pro-style" quarterback in the nation and the 17th-best overall player in California.
After redshirting his freshman year, Longshore was chosen to succeed Aaron Rodgers, who left for the NFL, to be California's starting quarterback. Longshore's 2005 season ended in the season's first game with a fibula injury and ligament damage in his ankle against Sacramento State. Joe Ayoob took over starting duties for Longshore.
Longshore is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His father Todd Longshore died on April 24, 2006 of a blood clot. Older brother Nick Longshore died November 20, 2013 from an ATV accident in Idaho Falls. He was a former offensive lineman for Brigham Young University, graduated in April 2007. His younger brother Ben Longshore was a senior quarterback at his alma mater, Canyon High School of Santa Clarita, California, and walked on to Utah State as a freshman in 2007 [1].
Longshore saw playing time three weeks later on September 27 against the Colorado State Rams, replacing a struggling Riley who had thrown for a touchdown and had one interception. Although Longshore's two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter came with the game's outcome beyond doubt in the Bears' 42-7 victory, Tedford reopened the quarterback competition for the following week against Arizona State on October 4. Longshore won the starting job and played the entire game, throwing for 198 yards, including three touchdowns and one interception in the 24-14 victory. The game marked his first start since the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl.
Longshore did not see playing time again until the final regular season game of his college career on December 6 against the winless Washington Huskies when he stepped in for Riley during the second and third quarters. He threw for 84 yards and his 50th career touchdown pass, which moved him up to fourth overall in touchdown passes. He was replaced in the fourth quarter by third-string quarterback Brock Mansion when Cal began playing its backup players to give them some game experience. Longshore's final collegiate game came when he was picked to start for the 2008 Emerald Bowl over Riley, his performances in practice and health being cited as factors. He passed for 121 yards and the game-winning touchdown to freshman tight end Anthony Miller, moving him up to third place alongside Troy Taylor for career touchdown passes.
Nate Longshore went undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft. In April 2009, Longshore was invited to try out for the Cincinnati Bengals, but he decided to go to the Miami Dolphins instead; he was given a three-day rookie mini-camp. After the mini-camp, Longshore was not offered a contract.
In 2010, he took a position as an assistant football coach at Santa Margarita Catholic High School.
Longshore signed with the San Jose SaberCats, of the Arena Football League, in February 2011 but did not make the team's final roster.
