The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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60 THE WOLVERINE ❱ AUGUST 2026 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY ETHAN MCDOWELL R yan Jung didn't show up to Michi- gan's specialist camp expecting an offer. He made the trip to compete in a stadium and for a football program he had always admired, in front of coaches with whom he had already built a strong connection. The result? A flawless day in The Big House, followed by a full scholar- ship offer and a commitment just a few days later. Jung, the No. 1 kicker in the country according to Kohl's Kicking, is Michigan's first commit in the 2028 class. "My family didn't really have to think much through it," Jung said. "Michi- gan has always been my dream school, and my family loves everything about Michigan — the academics, the sports. It's the most balanced school ever that excels in both academics and sports, so I didn't want to wait till next year. I just felt it was pointless. I found my school, I secured a spot, and then I just want to stay locked in with Michigan." Jung charted perfectly during his camp and won the field goal competition from 60 yards out. He already knew special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs and assistant special teams coach Garrett Clawson, and he wanted to leave a great impression on them during his first in- person workout with the staff. "They said they loved my confidence, first of all, because Coach told me to pick a spot to start the competition, and I started from 60 yards," Jung said. Michigan took him on a tour of the facilities afterward, and then Clawson told Jung to follow him. They walked to the indoor facility and stood at the 50- yard line with a group of coaches. That's when the Wolverines offered him a full scholarship. "I'm really excited," Jung said. "I'm really fired up. I'm just feeling better than ever." He considered Michigan his dream school for a long time, and he also clicked well with the coaching staff throughout his recruiting process. Usu- ally, specialists don't pick up offers un- til after their junior seasons. Michigan didn't see a reason to wait with the Mil- ton (Ga.) High standout. Jung is a big fan of Coombs and Clawson, so he jumped at the opportunity. "I love everything about him," Jung said. "Coach Coombs, he's just more than a coach. He's really tough on you, but he just wants you to be great. He's going to make sure you go to classes, and he's going to put pressure on you dur- ing spring practice. For example, when you kick field goals, he's going to get in your face, start distracting you, and start yelling at you, so you get ready to kick under pressure in front of a crowd. "And then Coach Clawson, he's also a really good coach. He knows a lot of technique of kickers, which is really rare since a lot of college teachers really never study techniques." Jung transferred from IMG Academy to Milton, a powerhouse program in Georgia, this offseason. He hopes to hit 100 percent of his field goals this fall and break the school record for longest field goal, 54 yards. After his final two years of high school football, he will join the Wol- verines — a program he believes will give him the chance to kick at the high- est level. "When I saw The Big House for the first time on a documentary, I really wanted to go there," Jung said. "I just knew it was my dream school from then on, and then Michigan also pro- duces a lot of NFL kickers. It's basically special teams university." ❑ Ryan Jung Kicks Off 2028 Class PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: Jung had an impressive performance at the 2026 Kohl's Underclassman Chal- lenge. He impressed with his leg strength and his command of his ball striking. He scored 18 points in the field goal charting and was a finalist in the field goal competitions. He scored 108.95 in the kickoff charting as well. At the 2025 Kohl's Eastern Winter Showcase in Pitts- burgh, Jung demonstrated impressive power and consistency, setting him apart. He won the kickoff competition for underclassmen, earned a perfect 15 points on field goal charting, and added 106.2 points on kickoffs with a top kickoff of 68 yards and a hang time of 3.9 seconds. Jung demonstrated impressive leg strength and ball contact at the 2025 Kohl's National Scholarship Camp, scoring 27 points in field goal charting and achieving the top kickoff score for the 2028 class with another standout 68-yard kick. — Kohl's Kicking AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: Jung missed a couple of extra points as a sophomore, so we're looking for more consistency there. He also booted 36 of 66 kickoff attempts for touchbacks, and increasing that number would be a positive indicator in his development. — Ethan McDowell Jung impressed special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs during an appearance at Michigan's specialist camp. Listed by Kohl's Kicking as the top placekicker in the 2028 class, he received a scholarship offer later that same day. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS