He attended Greenville High School, where he played football for the Green Wave as a three-year two-way starter.

On defense, he played linebacker and was a second-team Division II all-state selection at the position, and as a senior earned all-county, all-conference, and all-district honors after making 69 tackles and forcing two fumbles.

On offense, he played guard as a sophomore, tackle as a junior, and tight end as a senior, when he caught four passes for 75 yards and a touchdown.

He began his career as a true freshman tight end in 1996, appearing in seven games as a reserve and making one reception for 16 yards.

In 1998, he moved to left tackle, starting 13 games and earning an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference selection as part of an offensive line that only allowed 16 sacks of future Super Bowl MVP quarterback Drew Brees.

In 1999, Light started 12 games for an offensive line that allowed just 15 sacks, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors.

In 2003, Light again started 16 games, and earned his second Super Bowl ring after helping to not allow a sack against a Carolina Panthers defensive line in Super Bowl XXXVIII that featured Kris Jenkins, Mike Rucker, Brentson Buckner and Julius Peppers.

Light began the 2005 season just as he did the previous three, starting at left tackle before a broken leg suffered against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3 kept him inactive for the next 11 games and eventually led to his placement on injured reserve on December 22.