Riverhead Football Player Signs With Saints

Riverhead’s Ethan Greenidge’s dream of playing in the NFL is alive.

Despite going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft April 25 to 27, the offensive tackle agreed to a free-agent deal with the New Orleans Saints.

Greenidge, who was a four-year starter at Villanova University, was member of the Riverhead teams that reached consecutive League II Long Island championship games in 2012-13. He played 40 games at left tackle and three last season on the right side.

The Flanders native was named a STATS Football Championship Subdivision Preseason All-American and to the Colonial Athletic Association Football Preseason All-Conference Team. One of the top linemen in CAA Football, he was noted for providing the Wildcats with size and strength up front and possessing “quality lineman skills.” For his efforts in 2018, Greenidge was named to the CAA All-Conference second team.

The 6-4 lineman helped the Villanova’s offense rank third in the CAA with 221 first downs in 2018. The offensive line was instrumental in the Wildcats finishing the year with averages of 25 points per game and 369.5 yards of total offense per contest. The team surpassed 400 yards of offense six times in 11 games.

Following the 2018 campaign, Greenidge was invited to participate in the 95th annual East-West Shrine Game held at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. Greenidge appeared in the game as a reserve offensive lineman for the East squad. He then earned an invitation to the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine in March, but did not participate in that or Villanova’s Pro Day because he was recovering from a torn labrum in his shoulder he suffered midseason. He played through the injury and underwent surgery in late January after the Shrine game. The injury may have been a factor in why he went undrafted. He is expected to be cleared for football activities in mid-May.

desiree@indyeastend.com