The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543210
MARCH 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 51 2026 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY ETHAN MCDOWELL Jack Treutelaar's father always told him there are a few schools the long snapper should commit to on the spot if they offer. Michigan was one of those schools, and the program's newest pledge was fired up to hear from the Wol- verines. Special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs reached out to him in January while he was in the car picking up his brother. "I was just in awe," Treutelaar said. "The University of Michigan ... whoa." Contact between the class of 2026 specialist and the Wolverines ramped up from there. They started talking once or twice a week on the phone. Coombs called him the week before National Signing Day and extended an offer. Treutelaar committed to Michigan the next day — Jan. 30. He officially signed with the program Feb. 4. The senior out of Libertyville (Ill.) is the No. 19 long snapper in the country according to Rubio Long Snapping, and he will join the Wolverines in the summer. "It feels amazing," Treutelaar said. "It's like everything I've ever dreamed of, playing in The Big House. It's just going to be amazing to be there and get a great education as well." Treutelaar visited Michigan the week before he signed. The coaching staff spent a lot of time with him, which he appreciated. He also enjoyed the chance to tour the facility, check out campus and visit The Big House. His father played for Purdue, so his parents are big Boilermaker fans. They were very happy to see their son pick up an offer to play Big Ten football. "I've always loved watching Michi- gan football, as much as my parents hate me for that," Treutelaar joked. "I really liked it, and especially just The Big House. They get to play in front of 100,000 people every week, and I think that's amazing." Michigan likes his athleticism — he also played middle linebacker in high school — and that's part of the reason why the 6-1, 220-pound senior received the offer. Coombs wants his long snap- pers to play a significant role in punt coverage moving forward. "Coach Coombs told me that he wants me to be a third gunner on punt, so they really loved how I could get downfield and where my snaps were and every- thing," Treutelaar said. He will arrive on campus in June with a chance to compete for the long snap- ping job in Ann Arbor. Treutelaar is the second high school specialist commit of the 2026 cycle, joining kicker Jacob Baggett. ❑ JACK TREUTELAAR LONG SNAPPER 6-1 • 220 LIBERTYVILLE HIGH LIBERTYVILLE, ILL. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE Rubio Long Snapping ✪✪✪✪ ½ — 19 — HONORS • Ranked the No. 19 long snapper nationally by Rubio Long Snapping. • Captain of his high school football team as a senior. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Michigan Jan. 30, 2026. • Recruited by U-M special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs. DID YOU KNOW? • Also played middle linebacker on defense. • Two-sport athlete; lettered in lacrosse. • Fundraised more than $25,000 in high school with his Snap Out Childhood Cancer events for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. THEY SAID IT RubioLongSnapping.com: "Treutelaar brings a great personality to the field and is the type of long snapper coaches will appreciate both on and off the field. When Jack is on, he is very on — snapping with college-level speed and showing flashes of big-time potential. As his confidence and consistency continue to build, there's no doubt he can flat out dominate his class and beyond. He's got the tools, the mindset, and the attitude to do something special." 2026 PROJECTION Michigan brought in two transfer long snappers, so Treutelaar will have plenty of competition for an early role in Ann Arbor. Jack Treutelaar Snaps Up Wolverines' Offer Treutelaar, pictured with U-M special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs (right) and analyst Garrett Clawson (left), was rated the No. 19 long snapper in the country by Rubio Long Snapping. He will join the Wolverines in the summer. PHOTO COURTESY JACK TREUTELAAR