VERSATILE DEVIL
Sun Devils look to use QB Long in other roles
Ethan Long is one of four candidates to be ASU’s quarterback, but he could make an impact at any one of several positions.
Ethan Long came to Arizona State as a quarterback despite his reputation as a versatile athlete who could play elsewhere on the field. In the spring he said that despite being one of four candidates for the open starting QB spot, the possibility of him playing elsewhere had not been addressed. Since the Sun Devils opened camp last week, Long has been perhaps the most talked-about athlete on the field. It has nothing to do with how he’s thrown the ball, but for how he has looked at other positions, most notably slot receiver. Sun Devils coach Herm Edwards said Long, a native of West Linn, Ore., will be part of the game plan — it’s just a matter of where.
“I told him, ‘I ain’t done with you because you might be going to the other side of the ball, too, in certain packages,’ “Edwards said. “But first, he’s got to be offense. He’s got to play quarterback. He’s got a lot of things, but he’s a smart guy, a tough guy who wants to do it and he’s going to be on the football field for us.
“He’s too good of a football player to be standing by me, so we’re going to get him on the field.”
Long, called “Captain America” by Edwards in a lighthearted practice moment on Sunday night, was the first of the three true freshman quarterbacks to commit to ASU, doing so in June before his senior high school season. He signed during the December early signing period.
He was a finalist for the Oregon player of the year award after throwing for 3,247 yards with 31 touchdowns and 17 intercepted passes during his final season.
His best game came in the second week of the season when he threw for 411 yards and six touchdowns in a 55-27 win.
He also rushed for 362 yards and had eight touchdowns on 86 carries.
Those numbers were consistent with a junior season in which he registered 3,102 yards passing with 32 touchdowns and had just 10 passes intercepted while completing 66% of his throws.
Like the other two freshmen quarterbacks — Jayden Daniels and Joey Yellen — Long enrolled in January so he could participate in spring ball.
The other freshmen quarterbacks came in with lofty credentials as well, so the competition for the spot vacated by Manny Wilkins, who graduated, has been the hot topic since the first time the trio took the field in February.
“We all get along well,” he said. “We know whoever wins the job, the team is in good hands.”
After spring practice Long went to quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Rob Likens and said he was willing to work at other positions while still competing for the starting spot. Likens was more than willing to oblige and compares his athleticism to Taysom Hill of the New Orleans Saints, who has thrived in that utility role.
“He’s a very good football player so there are a lot of things we can do with him,” Likens aid.
“He can do so many different things it could be very tough for a defense to game plan against him.”
Long has played some slot, lined up at fullback and been seen racing downfield as part of some special-teams packages.
Defense isn’t out of the question either. He was actually recruited by Utah out of a high school as a linebacker. That’s a position where defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales says he is concerned about his team’s depth.
Long said he doesn’t mind the workload that comes with having to focus on multiple responsibilities.
“I trust the coaches to put me in the best position and knowing where I need to work and when I need to work there,” he said.
“I’m really just excited about the opportunity to help this team and I will do whatever they want me to do.”
Long, who also carried a 4.0 gradepoint average in high school, has endeared himself to coaches and teammates for his work ethic, leadership potential and unselfish play.
When ASU held its fall media day, Long was one of the dozen or so players made available. He was in his designated spot in the interview area an hour early.
“I love that kid. He’s the best. I mean he really is,” Edwards said.
“He gets it. He’s all in. He’s a marvelous, marvelous young man and really good football player. We’re lucky to have him.”