The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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48 THE WOLVERINE ❱ APRIL 2023 ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK CATCHING UP WITH ZACH LUDWIG, SURPRISE ADDITION TO 2024 CLASS Michigan held a verbal commitment from 2024 South Park (Pa.) High three-star linebacker Zach Ludwig for a little over two months prior to the public learning of the news — in large part because of his inactivity on social media. In early February, the recruiting world caught on and made Ludwig the talk of Michigan football for the better part of 48 hours. It wasn't exactly the prototypical storyline for a Michi- gan pledge. But nonetheless, the western Pennsylvania native has kept the same level of excitement and glee over his budding future. "It's been good," Ludwig told The Wolverine. "I keep on getting phone calls and messages. Overall, I've just been staying on track and trying to get bigger and better. "I never thought that I would be able to go to Michigan, so I'm very happy. It means a lot. I've always thought of Michigan as a school that I wanted to go to. I've always wanted to have Mr. [Jim] Harbaugh as my coach. That's been a big goal of mine." More of the fanbase getting to know Ludwig has re- sulted in a great number of messages being sent his way. "It's been good with the fans," Ludwig said. "I've had a bunch of followers who've messaged and texted me saying that I'm appreciated, that they're big fans and can't wait for me to get up to Michigan. It's a big deal. I'm a big fan so getting the opportunity to play for Michigan is big for me." Ludwig's uncle on his mother's side of the family is U-M director of strength and conditioning Ben Herbert. Having a close and immediate family member at Michigan gave Ludwig opportunities to travel to Ann Arbor in the past and be a part of the community at games. The relationship with with his uncle has taken on a new urgency, with Herbert helping prepare his nephew to be a college football player. "He is a great uncle and a great mentor, too," Ludwig said. "He always makes sure that I'm working on my tasks. As a strength and conditioning coach, he always stays on me, telling me how to do this or that. He just helps me a lot. "The way he interacts with the guys, gets them to execute, explains how to have good form and explains how certain workouts can help you is great." Ludwig, who is ranked as the No. 96 linebacker nationally, is now ready to show the Michigan com- munity exactly who he is. "I'm always working hard, and I'm never going to back down from anything," he said. "Any challenge that comes my way, I'm always going to overcome it. I'm going to work hard to be a Wolverine." — Zach Libby expects to narrow down his offer sheet once spring visits are over. Alabama, Georgia, Penn State, Auburn, Clemson, Tennessee, Michigan State and others are pushing hard as well. • CB Terhyon Nichols, Cincinnati Withrow — Nichols is a newer name on the cornerback board for Clinkscale, who offered the four-star coverage standout in the middle of March. On3 rates him as the No. 220 overall prospect nation- ally and the No. 20 cornerback in the 2024 class. The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder also scheduled his first unofficial visit to the U-M campus the fol- lowing day. He will visit alongside his teammate Chris Henry Jr., a 2026 wide receiver who also holds a U-M of- fer and is the son of former NFL star Chris Henry. Going back to December, Nichols has picked up offers from Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana, Syracuse and Louisville. — Zach Libby 2025 COMMIT CHRIS EWALD IS LOCKED IN AND RECRUITING OTHERS Miami Chaminade-Madonna cornerback Chris Ewald shocked the recruiting world when he gave Michigan his verbal commitment extremely early in the process, on Dec. 16, 2022, to be exact. The No. 40-ranked prospect and No. 3 corner- back in the class of 2025 picked the Wolverines over a slew of major offers. Schools like Ala- bama, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame and Penn State have continued to recruit him during the past several months. However, Ewald is happy with his decision. "I feel like Michigan is the school that fit me the best out of any school in the country," he said. "That comes with my personality and the type of person I am. I'm young and enjoying the process, but at the end of the day, Michigan is the school for me." Relationships also played a big role in Ewald mak- ing an early verbal pledge. "I have strong relationships with Coach Clink [Steve Clinkscale] and Denard Robinson," Ewald said. "They are still building over time. "I like Coach Clink because he keeps it real with me. He's a player's coach. I went to one of Denard's camps when I was 9. He's from where I'm from, so we have a lot of connections." Ewald visited Michigan on four occasions before committing to the Wolverines. Most recently, he had plans to return to Ann Arbor for the weekend of March 24 and was excited to be around the team and staff. "I want to meet some of the new players that just got there," Ewald said. "I want to talk to Ja'Den McBurrows. I've known him since I was little. I just want to see the practice and meet with the coaches." Ewald will have his recruiting hat on as well. Right now, he has his eyes set on two top Florida prospects. "I'm trying to get DJ Pickett and Zaquan Patter- son," Ewald said. "Those are the guys right now. I just tell them that Michigan is the place to be. That's home." Patterson is his high school teammate and 2024 classmate and is rated No. 78 overall and as the No. 6 safety nationally in the On3 Industry Rank- ing. Pickett, from Zephyrhills High, is an elite 2025 prospect who checks in at No. 10 overall and as the No. 1 safety in the On3 Industry Ranking. Ewald is part of the current two-man 2025 Michi- gan recruiting class that also features Georgia line- backer Mantrez Walker. — EJ Holland South Park (Pa.) High three-star line- backer Zach Ludwig is ranked as the No. 96 linebacker nationally by On3. He got on U-M's radar through his uncle, U-M director of strength and conditioning Ben Herbert. PHOTO BY ZACH LIBBY Michigan commit Chris Ewald, the No. 40 prospect and No. 3 cornerback nationally in the 2025 class according to On3, has his sights set on convincing more top prospects to join him in Ann Arbor. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND