June 14 was a special day for 2025 safety Ethan Long.
The Connecticut prospect put on a show in individual workouts and one-on-one drills at Ohio State’s recruiting camp that day, being the only player to win a rep against the Buckeyes' 2024 tight end commit Damarion Witten, who also participated in the camp.
New Ohio State 2025 safety offer Ethan Long had a pretty impressive day at camp on Wednesday. https://t.co/c3KZbqCPsn pic.twitter.com/ndIDZVG6e0
— Garrick Hodge (@Garrick_Hodge) June 14, 2023
After his performance, Long picked up an Ohio State offer, which came from Ryan Day personally.
“Ohio State's always been the dream and just getting offered is truly a blessing,” Long told Eleven Warriors after he received his offer. “And I'm so grateful for it. I'm just gonna keep grinding and working my butt off.”
It wasn’t your typical offer speech from Day, as Long received his offer alongside his high school teammate Matty Augustine, an offensive lineman in the 2025 class that also performed well at camp.
AGTG!! Blessed to say after an amazing camp and conversation with @ryandaytime I have received an offer from The Ohio State University! @Coach_Eliano @Coach_Wayne55 @Coach_SSStan @CoachTimWalton pic.twitter.com/H2O5Im8qYk
— Ethan Long (@Ethan_Long8) June 14, 2023
“Matty and I were sitting right next to each other,” Long said about getting offered by Day alongside his high school teammate. “We both had big smiles. We know we’re both hard workers and it all paid off for me and him. Coach Day said he loved the way we performed at camp and that he was really impressed. He was great about it.”
Long, who plays at Brunswick School in Greenwich, is the former high school teammate of Ohio State freshman offensive lineman Miles Walker. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound safety said he’s had discussions with his former teammate about the Buckeyes.
“We talk about it,” Long said of conversations between him and Walker concerning Ohio State. “Usually a lot. Like he tells me all about it and his experiences. When I came down here, he's been great about it and showing us around. He's been truly helpful, and he’s a great person to look up to.”
While on his visit, Long said he bonded with Ohio State safeties coach Perry Eliano.
“We had a meeting before and he coached me up a lot during the camp,” Long said. “He made me a better football player all the way around. He helped me out a lot. He told me to put my head down, grind and do your thing. He wanted me to keep working hard and keep that speed up.”
Long doesn’t hold a 247Sports composite ranking as of yet, but has racked up 14 Division I offers. At this point, Long said playing for Ohio State in the future could be appealing.
“It’s definitely up there,” Long said about his offer. “Just knowing you’re going to be settled for the rest of your life at Ohio State and just knowing you’re playing for the best and competing against the best, it’s a great thing that stands out to me.”
Long said he hopes to visit Columbus for a game later this fall.
Julian Lewis puts Ohio State in top eight
One of Ohio State’s three quarterback targets in the 2026 class has already narrowed down his recruitment. Georgia signal caller Julian Lewis released his top eight schools on Wednesday, consisting of Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Florida State, Texas A&M, Oregon, LSU and USC.
Trust God #KeepWorking @CoachJoeyKing @TheCoach_Barge @QuincyAvery @rvfc10 @CoachBeas @Hayesfawcett3 @SWiltfong247 @adamgorney @ChadSimmons_ @TheUCReport @CraigHaubert @GregBiggins @BrooksAustinBA @JeremyO_Johnson @jeffsentell pic.twitter.com/x9grxR88lH
— Julian "Ju Ju" Lewis 2026 QB (@JuJuLewis10) July 12, 2023
Lewis was the first quarterback Ohio State offered and the fifth player offered overall in the 2026 cycle, with the Buckeyes extending the offer back in January. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound prospect has visited each school in his top eight to this point with the exception of Ohio State and Oregon, but that will likely change soon.
In his freshman season, Lewis had a breakout year for Carrollton High School (Carrollton, Georgia), leading his team to a 14-1 season and a state title appearance. He completed 283 of 432 passes for 4,118 yards and 48 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. Lewis also ran for 86 yards on 13 carries.
Damarion Witten wins 7-on-7 MVP
Ohio State 2024 tight end commitment Damarion Witten excelled on the field Tuesday. The Glenville product was named the MVP of a seven-on-seven tournament held in Akron, hosted by Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.
I am Blessed and honored AGTG https://t.co/ESPe6REXsv
— Damarion Witten (@DamarionW1_) July 11, 2023
Witten made several impressive plays throughout the day, including catching a long touchdown pass in the clip below.
Glenville, Hoban and Akron East are unbeaten through pool play at the Deshaun Watson Foundation 7-on-7.@DamarionW1_ with the grab on this one from @ruel_tomlinson for @TarblooderFB. pic.twitter.com/jkSEqtdXnr
— Matt Goul (@mgoul) July 11, 2023
Witten committed to Ohio State on June 24, giving the Buckeyes two tight ends in the 2024 class.
“I decided to commit to Ohio State because it felt like home,” Witten told Eleven Warriors. “It’s also been a dream of mine to call myself a Buckeye.”
