Matt Ludwig is a dynamic four-star tight end and one of Michigan’s top 2026 recruits. With elite athleticism and a versatile skillset, he could be the Wolverines’ next great tight end:
The 2026 recruiting class for the Michigan Wolverines is slowly but surely coming together. The class sits in the high 30s of the 247Sports composite, but as we have learned time and time again, banners are never hung in June. As the class continues to build momentum, let’s take a look at one of the early headliners, four-star tight end Matt Ludwig.
Background
Ludwig grew up in Idaho but now resides in Billings, Montana, and plays high school football for Billings West. A two-way standout, Ludwig only made the tight end position his primary focus last season as a junior. However, that didn’t stop him from contributing to nearly every facet of the game.
Through 11 games last season, Ludwig:
- Hauled in 53 receptions for 822 yards (15.5 yards per catch) and four touchdowns
- Rushed for 149 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and two touchdowns
- Completed 5-of-6 passes for 46 yards
- Registered seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss on defense
- Punted the ball 22 times with a 35.7 average, with a long of 61 yards
In addition to football, Ludwig is also a member of the basketball and track and field teams, and was formerly a member of the wrestling team at Billings West. Ludwig is a capital ‘A’ ATHLETE, who national recruiting analyst Gregg Biggins thinks “is arguably the best prospect to come out of the Big Sky State in the last decade if not longer.”
Michigan tight end target Matt Ludwig showing off the athleticism with a slam dunk in the Montana State basketball tournament.
— GBM Wolverine (@GBM_Wolverine) March 14, 2025
Measurables
Listed at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, Ludwig probably checks in closer to 230 pounds, but regardless, he has a great frame for the Big Ten with room to grow. With a 6-foot-9 wingspan and verified strength and speed from his 2025 track results , Ludwig’s elite athleticism will ease his transition to the next level.
This past season, Ludwig ran 11.12 in the 100-meter dash, anchored his team’s 4×100 team, threw the shot put 53-2, and the discus 172-5. What do any of these mean? Ludwig has throws comparable to Michigan five-star tackle recruit Ty Haywood and a 100-meter personal best that rivals Donovan Edwards . That’ll do.
High School Scouting
TL;DR: Jake Butt, Colston Loveland, Matt Ludwig
Comparison: Dalton Kincaid, but plays like Paul Walker just hit the NOS button.
Ludwig is a modern tight end with a knack for the big play. Forget about “possession receiver” or “security blanket,” Ludwig is a deep ball play-maker with soft hands and deceptive speed. As a junior, he lined up everywhere imaginable for a tight end (including as the wildcat quarterback), but he thrived split out wide or in the slot.
Presumptively, Ludwig will have to refine his releases in college because at the high school level, practically no defender challenges him at the line of scrimmage. He often goes five yards before some poor kid fresh out of algebra class puts his hands on him.
As a route runner, Ludwig has room to grow, but already shows an understanding of zone concepts (which he overwhelmingly faces in high school) and how to exploit them. Against man-to-man, Ludwig is physical and has the ability to make contested catches and turn 50/50 balls into 70/30. He needs to continue to focus on his technique and exploit leverage because next year, he will not be able to out-athlete Big Ten defenders.
After the catch, Ludwig shows why he is special. With the ball in his hands, he has more speed and wiggle than 99 percent of players his size, but he is also not opposed to lowering his shoulder and punishing would-be tacklers. One defensive back RARELY succeeds in bringing the hard-running Ludwig to the ground.
As a blocker, Ludwig is willing, but will need some time to develop at the college level. It’s hard to knock his high school for not focusing more on his blocking prowess when he is the best player and all-around athlete on any field he plays. Of course, his coaches want the ball in his hands as much as possible, but at the next level, Ludwig will need to refine this area of his game in order to see the field early in his career.
Expectations at Michigan
Ludwig must have had the Michigan coaches drooling when they saw his tape. Ludwig possesses everything you can’t teach and is only lacking areas that can be taught. An uber athlete only in need of refinement, he will compete for snaps the moment he steps foot on campus.
Yes, the room will be crowded, but Ludwig will be the fastest and most athletic player at the position and one of the fastest and most athletic players on the team, period, when he arrives. The only thing that could delay the beginning of his tight end career is his blocking ability. “No block, no rock.” But at minimum, he will be playing special teams against Western Michigan in Week 1 and will likely make his first career catch as well.