2025 Notre Dame Commit Ethan Long Still Has Respect To Earn

Ethan Long‍ earned several major scholarship offers before committing to Notre Dame, but the 2025 Connecticut safety still feels he has some respect left to earn.

Long will get another chance to earn some respect on Monday morning when he and his Brunswick School kick off the Connecticut Showcase.

The event began a few years ago to make it easy for college coaches from around the country to see some of the Northeast’s top talent. It’s expanded each year and now features prep schools from Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey on three successive days.

It’s mostly intended to give athletes a chance for exposure they may not have received without it. But Long, and his teammate and fellow Irish commit, offensive lineman Matty Augustine, don’t need exposure. 

They’ll be working out for the sake of competition, to get better and to show what they can do. 

“I think people underestimate my coverage abilities,” Long said. “I can press, I can play off. I'm quick enough. My hands are fast enough, strong enough to stay with a tight end, receiver, a slot. 

“It doesn't matter how fast they are. Another thing is my speed too. I've been working on my speed and I've been getting faster. I just want to show people that I'm explosive.”

Long has enjoyed his returns to South Bend since committing in January, including his most recent trip last month.

“It was great to be back,” he said. “It was a great spring practice, scrimmage. It was just great to see Coach (Mike) Mickens for the first time since he's been announced as the DB coach; Coach (Marcus) Freeman, Coach (Al) Golden. They're so good and so good to me and my family. So it was just a great time with Chad (Bowden).”

Long was - and is - still tight with former Irish safeties coach Chris O’Leary, but he’s becoming increasingly fond of Mickens.

“He has a swag to him as well,” Long said of Mickens. “He loves what he does. He has passion. He's a funny guy, a fun coach to be around, but he's all business. Hanging out with him was awesome. I got to meet his daughter, which was great to me, just getting that connection, just building that relationship that I want. 

“He really believes in me that I can be great. He's been teaching me so much over phone calls, sending me clips. It's just great to know that there's another coach out there who has the same ideal look for me. He's awesome and I can't wait to work with him.”

Long is looking forward to getting back for his official visit next month.

“That's going to be a blast,” he said. “It's going to be fun just to be able to be with the commits and other recruits who hopefully commit to us. I'm just so blessed and lucky to have such a great group of guys and a great group of coaches who have trust in me and are trying to build a future for me and help me with my future.”

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