The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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50 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JUNE/JULY 2023 ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK over Ohio State last November. He stayed active in the months that followed by assisting Moore, whose philosophies on how to grow an of- fensive lineman both mentally and physically enticed Roebuck to add his road-grader frame to the U-M class. "Coach Moore is different from a lot of other offensive line coaches," Roebuck said. "Instead of acting like a coach, he's like a really good friend. It's easy for everyone to be ourselves around him. Even over texts, he'll respond to us and talk to us. "I didn't see that with some other coaches. But Coach Moore is always being himself, whether it's in person or over the phone. We're just bonding and it's great." Roebuck took four unofficial vis- its to Michigan from the middle of December to the middle of March, shortly before he announced his commitment. As the winter and early spring progressed, it was not just Moore wh o wa s i n co n ta c t w i t h t h e 6-foot-7, 340-pounder, it was also Michigan co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale. "Coach Clink was another big reason for me committing," Roebuck said. "He grew up in Youngstown, which isn't that far from me. I also trust my high school head coach's word over anyone else's, and he said that Coach Clink is a great guy and great coach. It's been true so far." Michigan will potentially add one more offensive lineman to its 2024 re- cruiting class with names like Bennett Warren of Fort Bend (Texas) Christian, Michael Uini of Copperas Cove (Texas) High and Jordan Seaton, a Washington, D.C., native now at IMG Academy in Florida, among those holding strong in- terest in the program. Moving forward, Roebuck has a persuasive message for the recruits next up. "When going after potentially the last offensive lineman for the class, it's about who fits in with us and who fits in our culture," Roebuck said. "I think that's super important for wherever you go. My pitch is 'We're back-to-back Big Ten champs, and we beat Ohio State the past two years.' It's like turning over a new leaf. Michigan is now on top, and we're only going to get better." Roebuck is listed as the No. 28 of- fensive tackle nationally as well as the No. 16 rising senior in the state of Ohio, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. — Zach Libby TOP CORNERBACK COMMIT CHRIS EWALD IS LOCKED IN FOR 2025 Chris Ewald was back in Ann Arbor in March, just a few months after shocking the recruiting world and giving Michi- gan a surprise verbal commitment for the 2025 class. The standout cornerback from Miami Chaminade-Madonna High enjoyed his time on the U-M campus and continued to get a feel for his future home. "It was a great time," Ewald said. "I saw a couple of the commits there and got to meet some of the new incoming freshmen. I had a chance to watch prac- tice. I liked how they were working. I just love the tradition at Michigan." Ewald picked Michigan in mid- December over offers from Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Penn State, Texas A&M, USC and others. Since then, a few schools like Al- abama and Notre Dame have come in with scholarship offers of their own. Ewald, however, said he re- mains content with his pledge to U-M. "I'm solid," Ewald said. "There is a lot that plays into it, like what type of person I am and how I feel about the program and the city of Ann Arbor. I'm not going any- where. I'm locked in." Another big reason Ewald is happy with his decision is his strong relationship with Michigan co-defensive coordinator and cor- nerbacks coach Steve Clinkscale, who also serves as his area recruiter. "I've been talking to Coach Clink a lot about how the defense is look- ing," Ewald said. "We're starting to get to that point in the relationship where we talk a little more football. Coach Clink is a great coach. We just have a great relationship overall. He always keeps it real." Now, Ewald is doing some recruiting of his own. He has made it clear that his top two targets are his high school and club 7v7 teammate, the No. 82 pros- pect and No. 6 safety in the 2024 class, Zaquan Patterson, and Zephyrhills, Fla., safety DJ Pickett, the No. 1-ranked player at his position and No. 8 overall prospect in the 2025 class. "I believe Zaquan is going to come to Michigan," Ewald said. "He's enjoying the process and taking his officials, but I'm always in the back of his head. I tell him Michigan is home. "I think Pickett is coming, too. I gave him the whole roster breakdown and told him he's going to play early." Ewald is part of a two-man 2025 Michigan recruiting class that also features Georgia linebacker Mantrez Walker. At 5-foot-11, 161 pounds, Ewald is ranked as the No. 10 cornerback and No. 92 overall prospect nationally in 2025, per the On3 Industry Ranking. — EJ Holland One of two U-M commits for 2025, Chris Ewald is listed ed as the No. 10 cornerback and No. 92 overall prospect nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND