Notre Dame Is Prioritizing Versatile Safety Ethan Long
The 2025 safety group is arguably one of the deeper positions in the 2025 recruiting class. Notre Dame has already put itself in great position with several notable playmakers, including Milford (Conn.) Brunswick School star Ethan Long, who just made the return trip to campus this weekend for the “Grill and Chill” recruiting cookout.
The Fighting Irish Irish staff put together a tremendous event. Some parts of the visit included some mini games, a cook off, photo shoot, campus tour and meetings with coaches. Long loved every aspect of it, but most of all, he was just happy to get back to South Bend.
"It was a great experience getting to know the recruits and getting back on campus,” Long told Irish Breakdown. "I’ve been able to continue to build those bonds. It was really an awesome visit.”
Long was put into a pod with Notre Dame commits Sean Sevillano and Taebron Bennie-Powell, as well as several other uncommitted recruits. The team was able to win the overall event but Long was just happy to do the thing he loves most, to compete
"As athletes, we all love to compete,” Long said. "We each had a great time playing all of the games. We played knockout, dodgeball, did a cook off. We even played a towel game where Chad (Bowden) was being hilarious during. They were loving it.”
The athletes weren’t the only ones who had a chance to compete. The parents also got their competitive juices flowing, although that came after doing the whole parent duty.
"From what they told me afterward, they loved the visit,” he explained. "They had the chance to meet with the staff and really got a chance to learn what to expect, what the experience would be like to have a kid who plays for Notre Dame. They also got to compete a little bit during some of the games as well. They are competitive people. It’s where I get it from.”
Overall, the Notre Dame staff put together a tremendous event this weekend. From the recruiting and coaching staffs, they have made a big impact on Long.
"My relationship with the recruiting staff is great,” Long stated. "They have been treating me like one of their own. They are all energetic and love to have fun. The relations are going up for sure. It keeps building every time I’m up there. It’s a new era of Notre Dame football and it’s exciting. They are definitely building trust with me and my parents.”
One important part of that relationship is transparency. From the moment the Connecticut star was offered, Notre Dame made him feel like a priority.
"After I camped at Notre Dame, Coach (Chris) O’Leary had a meeting with me and told me that he wants to get me on the field as a freshman,” explained Long. "He sees me as their high safety that is long and explosive, and can make plays on the football. They compare me to Kyle Hamilton.”
Long is clearly a player that the Irish want. Their pitch has been heard. The research has been done. Long understands everything that the program can bring to the table.
"Notre Dame has one of the best academic experiences out there,” said Long. "That degree is something else. It’s truly one of a kind. Also the brotherhood of the football team is just so incredible. Everyone feels like an important part of the team.”
As for timelines, this one feels like it could end at any time. That is good news for Notre Dame, who sits in great position after the recent visit.
"I got some good advice recently,” he said. "I was told when your heart knows, it knows. I’m not keeping a timeline in mind really. When I know, I’ll just know.”
Long has been active on the recruiting trail this off-season, visiting several schools and competing at camps. That has led to a flurry of offers being extended. Some of the notable programs who have offered include Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Boston College and Duke among several others.
As he has gotten more attention, so are the various recruiting platforms. Long now ranks as a four-star recruit by Rivals, the only platform to rank him so far, currently sitting as the No. 22 safety in the 2025 recruiting class.
The 6-2, 185-pound defensive back was a main catalyst for an extremely talented 9-1 Brunswick squad. Long recorded three interceptions, recovered three fumbles and didn’t allow a single reception as a sophomore.
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