The Michigan Wolverines are prioritizing these two tight ends to spearhead the position in their 2026 class. Learn more about each of the prospects here and why they could flourish together in Ann Arbor:
The Michigan Wolverines have large shoes to fill at tight end with Colston Loveland off to the NFL. Despite the first-round pick’s departure, Michigan should still feel confident in its Marlin Klein/Hogan Hansen-led group, and its track record of developing the position to keep things going in 2025 and beyond.
However, even with Klein and Hansen’s multiple years of eligibility remaining, the position will need some reinforcements in the 2026 recruiting class after Michigan didn’t take a traditional tight end (Eli Owens is more of a Max Bredeson style H-back/tight end).
According to On3’s Ethan McDowell ($), the Wolverines have a really great shot at landing both four-star Matt Ludwig and three-star Mason Bonner.
Let’s start with Ludwig, a 6-foot-4, 240-pounder from Billings, Montana with high praise from 247Sports . The four-star is ranked as the No. 1 player in Montana, the No. 11 tight end in the nation and No. 220 overall.
His junior year film is flat-out dominant. As a receiver, Ludwig can line up all over the field and uses his towering frame and sure hands to make contested catches look easy. He has surprisingly good breakaway speed (albeit against weaker competition) and is a complete terror with the ball in his hands. He does not go down easily, often requiring multiple tacklers to wrap him up at the end of a play. He runs with a viciousness perfectly suited for Big Ten play.
Ludwig fits the modern, spread passing game well, but this is no one-way player. He excels as an in-line blocker who can pave gaps for running backs, and while he is too valuable as a receiver to utilize in pass protection, he would probably excel there, too.
He has all the makings of the next great Michigan tight end — it’s easy to see why he is a top priority for head coach Sherrone Moore and tight ends coach Steve Casula.
Meanwhile, Bonner may not be as highly regarded as Ludwig, but at 6-foot-6, 200 pounds, the Colorado native has more than enough tools in his arsenal.
His film makes him look like a big receiver rather than a tight end. Bonner often lines up out wide, where he utilizes a quick get-off and long strides to beat his defenders one-on-one. You might as well pencil in a reception once the ball is in the air, as 50-50s do not exist with this guy. He has soft hands, great instincts and fearlessness when high-pointing the ball.
Bonner is a long athlete, a benefit as a receiver, but something that could be detrimental as a blocker. He does not usually line up in-line and would need to develop this part of his game to see the field in Ann Arbor.
Regardless, he is a dynamic downfield threat that would be a welcome addition to Michigan’s 2026 class.
Ludwig and Bonner would make an excellent pair and could make for a fearsome one-two punch in the future. They both have Crystal Ball projections for Michigan, and it would be huge for Moore and Casula to land them both. With both of them expected to swing through Ann Arbor in June for their respective official visits, watch for more updates as they each inch closer and closer to making a decision.