The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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42 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MAY 2023 ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK Ranking, which factors in all four ma- jor recruiting services (ESPN has yet to release its 2025 rankings). Ewald is ranked as the No. 9 cornerback and No. 93 overall prospect nationally when it comes to the On3 Industry Ranking. He is also ranked as the No. 13 overall re- cruit in Florida. Ewald has an On3 NIL Valuation of $78,000 with 5,700 combined follow- ers on Instagram and Twitter. He also has been very active on the recruiting trail, helping the Wolverines court the likes of four-star 2024 defensive back Zaquan Patterson, who also plays at Chaminade-Madonna, and five-star DJ Pickett of Zephyrhills (Fla.) High, the No. 1 safety and No. 9 overall player in the class of 2025 in the On3 Industry Ranking. Patterson is listed as the No. 78 prospect and No. 6 safety nationally. Ewald is part of a two-man 2025 Michigan recruiting class, which also features Buford (Ga.) High linebacker Mantrez Walker, who is not currently ranked by On3. — EJ Holland MICHIGAN CONTINUES TO BUILD KEY RELATIONSHIPS IN OHIO Michigan's recruiting efforts in the state of Ohio have revolved around the coaching staff establishing close bonds with key targets through daily and weekly phone calls, texts, direct mes- sages on social media and visits. Consistent communication has also transpired with the figureheads and mentors who are guiding the young ath- letes in the recruitment process. Their willingness to assist for no other reason than to watch prospects live out their dream is what gives these respected ad- visors a sense of pride. One such example is Darren Gam- mell, founder and owner of Darren Ju- nior Recruiting Source, one of the pre- mier year-round training and exposure organizations in the Midwest. Gammell, who has operated DJRS since 2017, con- tinues to provide resources and oppor- tunities to recruits in ways that might have been difficult to come by before, including in mid-March when he co- hosted a showcase in Columbus that featured multiple players being evalu- ated by Michigan. "I definitely think that as long as I'm doing the right things in the right way, I'm going to do well by these young ath- letes," Gammell told The Wolverine. "As long as I'm not doing different types of things where I'm telling them where to go or controlling their movement, it's in their best interest. "It's very rewarding, and I'm very blessed to help these guys, especially some who may not be where they are without being in the program." Gammell's contact with the Michi- gan coaching staff has been consistent through the years. Working alongside well-known talents like 2024 LSU tight In On3's class of 2025 rankings, Michigan commitment Chris Ewald was listed as the No. 134 player and No. 12 cornerback nationally. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND 2024 Michigan Commitments Player Pos. Rating* Ht. Wt. Hometown / High School Manuel Beigel HHH IOL 6-5 282 Frankfurt, Germany / Choate Rosemary Hall (Conn.) Mason Curtis HHHH LB 6-4 190 Nashville, Tenn. / Ensworth Jadyn Davis HHHH QB 6-0 190 Charlotte, N.C. / Providence Day School Luke Hamilton HHH IOL 6-4 290 Avon, Ohio / Avon Ted Hammond HHH DL 6-4 265 Cincinnati / St. Xavier Hogan Hansen HHHH TE 6-5 200 Bellevue, Wash. / Bellevue Zach Ludwig HHH LB 6-2 205 South Park, Pa. / South Park Jordan Marshall HHHH RB 5-10 189 Cincinnati / Archbishop Moeller Jacob Oden HHHH S 6-0 185 Harper Woods, Mich. / Harper Woods Ben Roebuck HHH OT 6-7 340 Lakewood, Ohio / St. Edward Andrew Sprague HHHH OT 6-8 290 Kansas City, Mo. / Rockhurst 2025 Michigan Commitments Chris Ewald HHHH CB 5-11 161 Miami / Chaminade-Madonna Prep Mantrez Walker — LB 5-11 215 Buford, Ga. / Buford * On3 ratings as of April 14