'25 CT S Ethan Long (Notre Dame Signee)

[Rockin’Irish]

ND, Michigan, OSU, PSU is very solid

I believe he also worked out for the staff in the past (going off memory on that) which is usually another positive in addition to offers.

 

[maxwell]

I believe he also worked out for the staff in the past (going off memory on that) which is usually another positive in addition to offers.

They must have seen some potential in person that doesn’t show in his film , because he doesn’t stand out despite what looks like awful competition

 

[Lberry]

Do we think he's underrated? His ratings and offers don't jump out. I haven't seen his film.

Irish du, can you explain why you down voted me asking what we think of this prospect?

You do this often so just curious if you ever have anything to say.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

They must have seen some potential in person that doesn’t show in his film , because he doesn’t stand out despite what looks like awful competition

What would you be looking for to stand out? As a secondary player, aside from really tight coverage, a few INTs and pass breakups when the ball comes his way, sound tackling and coming up to make solid tackles playing the run…its not like a defensive end or linebacker where they are pretty much physically trying to beat a man and get to the quarterback or ball carrier in the backfield on most plays in HS.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

They must have seen some potential in person that doesn’t show in his film , because he doesn’t stand out despite what looks like awful competition

Also a pretty weird first post after 13 years, but….welcome?

 

[Rizzophil]

I think the frustration with O'Leary is that he struck out at the Safety position in the 2022 class and signed an underwhelming Safety group in the 2024 class. I personally don't see it with TBP. I like Tae Johnson and Kennedy Urlacher but there are serious question marks with both of them. With Johnson, he really hasn't played much Safety, and with Urlacher, I don't think he's a pure Safety and would be better suited as a OLB down the line.

He did good with Watts who never played safety before

 

[NDMatt91]

He did good with Watts who never played safety before

He's a really good coach, but to this point his recruiting has been inconsistent.

 

[IAIrish]

I think the frustration with O'Leary is that he struck out at the Safety position in the 2022 class and signed an underwhelming Safety group in the 2024 class. I personally don't see it with TBP. I like Tae Johnson and Kennedy Urlacher but there are serious question marks with both of them. With Johnson, he really hasn't played much Safety, and with Urlacher, I don't think he's a pure Safety and would be better suited as a OLB down the line.

Agree that safety recruiting has been frustrating, but I'd wager TBP is a better safety prospect than Long. I just don't see the twitch/ athleticism needed to be a d1 safety prospect. Watching his highlights, it appears he has a hitch in the way he runs. Size is there, but no way do you trade size for speed on the back end.

Take a watch and let me know what you think. Ethan Long on Hudl

 

[Irish du Nord]

Irish du, can you explain why you down voted me asking what we think of this prospect?

You do this often so just curious if you ever have anything to say.

Well you phrased it in a way that makes it seem like he’s an unimpressive prospect. Completely ignoring that his offer list has every Big 10 champ since 2004. Maybe if you read more than you wrote, people wouldn’t have such a negative opinion of you as a poster.

 

[IAIrish]

What would you be looking for to stand out? As a secondary player, aside from really tight coverage, a few INTs and pass breakups when the ball comes his way, sound tackling and coming up to make solid tackles playing the run…its not like a defensive end or linebacker where they are pretty much physically trying to beat a man and get to the quarterback or ball carrier in the backfield on most plays in HS.

I'm by no means an expert, but have been following Irish crootin for almost 30 years. What i look for when watching db's are two things. Athleticism and instincts. Long had 3 picks last year. If you watch his hudl jr highlight, they were all gift wrapped thrown right to him.
Unless he's playing in a baller league, a db should move faster than pretty much every one you're seeing in the highlight. Long does not, imo.
Instincts are there, but even then, he has to make plays on ball carriers then down the field.

I think he has the frame to play at lb, but they're in on so many good backers in this class that are probably as good or better athletes, i question the take. If we get him, hope he proves me wrong.

The ace in the hole is that he's worked out for the staff, which Maxwell pointed out. Either way, Blair, Young and McNutt should continue to be priorities.

 

[Giddyup]

I’ll give the benefit of the doubt to the coaches who scouted him in person and are around elite players all the time on the football field. Hopefully Long improves his speed and range.

 

[Lberry]

Well you phrased it in a way that makes it seem like he’s an unimpressive prospect. Completely ignoring that his offer list has every Big 10 champ since 2004. Maybe if you read more than you wrote, people wouldn’t have such a negative opinion of you as a poster

I mentioned his offers and current rankings and asked if anyone who's seen his film has thoughts. The people who think I'm negative are part of a clown group, don't be part of that.

Sounds like those who've seen his film aren't wowed.

 

[allenm5333]

I would love to watch DJ Brown's film and compare it to his. If he is a 105% of DJ Brown, we are in good hands. Especially when you consider Johnson, Taylor and the other guys we got and maybe Blair

 

[JamIrish]

The one thing I liked on his film is he HITS. Tackling has been a problem at safety for a few years: Griffith, Henderson, and Brown all had issues tackling. TBP, Long, and Urlacher looked to be sure tacklers at least. That's why I'm excited for them and Shuler. Seems to be a few thumpers in that group.

 

[Irish du Nord]

I mentioned his offers and current rankings and asked if anyone who's seen his film has thoughts. The people who think I'm negative are part of a clown group, don't be part of that.

Sounds like those who've seen his film aren't wowed.

Look, you said his offers don’t jump out, and another poster immediately corrected you. I’m not going to say you’re always negative, but you were unnecessarily negative in how you framed the question. And I’m personally really excited about Long, he’s impressed in camp and on film.

 

[Lberry]

Look, you said his offers don’t jump out, and another poster immediately corrected you. I’m not going to say you’re always negative, but you were unnecessarily negative in how you framed the question. And I’m personally really excited about Long, he’s impressed in camp and on film.

He didn't correct me lol. He's missing a ton of big offers. I'm not going to list them all because that list is long. Be serious. But all good, moving on.

Glad you think he looks good on film though, I hope he's a stud.

 

[Rocketman84]

They better take Blair too if he wants in

No doubt about he's a take, he can play both Safety positions.

 

[IAIrish]

Blair took such a huge jump as a jr, imo. I'm glad the staff recognized it and got in on him so early. Seems like the kind of athletic unicorn that end up playing on Sundays.

 

[PutuporShutup]

I would love to watch DJ Brown's film and compare it to his. If he is a 105% of DJ Brown, we are in good hands. Especially when you consider Johnson, Taylor and the other guys we got and maybe Blair

What do you mean by this? We don’t want another dj brown (slow, can’t tackle, can’t catch, but very assignment correct)

After Parker he was probably next up as main reason for 3 losses

 

[Giddyup]

I don’t think he’s a superstar but I don’t ever remember him getting burnt in coverage. He became an easy target with the drops.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

I don’t think he’s a superstar but I don’t ever remember him getting burnt in coverage. He became an easy target with the drops.

DJ brown?

 

[CanadalovesND]

Announcing now..

 

[notredomer23]

Just committed to ND.

VERY well spoken kid.

 

[CanadalovesND]

It's ND.

 

[Giddyup]

💥 BOOM

 

[NDFan8349]

LFG!!!!

 

[Sea Turtle]

It's interesting

 

[NDPhilly]

2025 class shaping up to be Freeman's best so far. A playoff run could really set us off.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Neat

 

[Luckylucci]

Starting to put together some nice S depth. Solid addition.