Notre Dame Safety Ethan Long Building Momentum for Bigger Role in 2026
Ethan Long got his first taste of college football last fall and he made it count.
The 6-foot-2, 204-pound safety appeared in four games while preserving his redshirt, recording three tackles and an interception.
Those early reps provided a valuable foundation, fueling momentum and confidence as Long enters his second spring in South Bend.
“I think I was definitely fortunate enough to get in the game those last couple games and make some things happen,” said Long. “It's definitely now just becoming vocal, being a leader, doing the little things right now just to get that separation and really show that I know the playbook and all that.”
Long’s confidence could go a long way towards earning a bigger role in 2026.
Notre Dame returns both starters and veteran Luke Talich. The Irish also added several talented freshmen, which has made the room ultra-competitive and that’s just how Long wants it.
“Honestly, it's just really focusing on me getting better every day,” explained Long. “I think we have the best safety room in the nation. Everyone's going to have their moments. Everyone's going to play well, but I'm really just focusing on becoming better every day for myself.”
Assistant defensive backs coach Marty Biagi has been pleased with what he’s seen from Long this spring, which includes time off the field spent with the staff.
“He's progressing,” Biagi explained. “His athleticism is really, really good. You can tell him now, being a year into the system, being involved, getting more reps, you're starting to see his athleticism take over. He's just really trying to master the playbook. He's spending a lot of time with the coaching staff. He's one that's really competing and challenging every rep.”
The blueprint was given to Long a year ago and he was paying attention to every second.
“I think I had great leaders like Adon (Shuler), Tae-Tae, Jalen Stroman and DeVonta Smith,” Long stated. “I had great leaders who took me under their wing. Just seeing how they studied film and seeing how they took care of their bodies, just seeing that different kind of mindset.
“They were grown men. I was still trying to get used to things, and just seeing that kind of change was definitely good for me. Just seeing how to carry myself during the season and how to carry myself off the field.”
The transition to college football was also eased by familiar faces.
Long arrived at Notre Dame alongside former high school teammates Blake Hebert and Matty Augustine. The trio leaned on each other throughout their freshman season and now look to carve out bigger roles in year two.
“Matty, he's a dog,” stated Long. “He wants it. He's got to push himself to the limit and become the best version of himself. That's something he's definitely successful in. Eyes turned towards him and they have no choice but to think about him.”
There’s also some lingering history with Will Black, dating back to their high school days. Long and his Brunswick School teammates split matchups with Black’s Choate Rosemary Hall squad, including a championship game loss.
“We played Will in the championship game,” Long recalled. “We played him a couple times. He got the best of us the last one, but we got him the first time. It's a little bit unsettled.”
That competitive edge carries over to the present, where Notre Dame’s safety depth chart behind the returning starters remains wide open.
And when his number is called, Long believes he’ll be ready.
“I know I can do it,” said Long. “I have total faith in myself. I believe in myself, so I know I have what it takes. I'm ready for whatever they call my number.”
Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
Under Armour #42 White Notre Dame Fighting Irish Alternate Leprechaun Replica Hockey Jersey
