MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Notre Dame football misses on dynamic pass catcher, and the 2026 tight end board just got a bit smaller heading toward OV season

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ryan Roberts | Last updated May 20, 2025 4:36 PM ET

Notre Dame football has been on quite the roll in the 2026 recruiting class over the last several weeks. Head coach Marcus Freeman and his Fighting Irish staff has done an outstanding finding talent from all over the country, and filling gaps in the roster. One position that still has some questions right now is at tight end.

There are some very talented tight ends on the board right now, but it just got a bit smaller on Tuesday. 2026 Billings (Montana) West star pass catcher Matt Ludwig committed to the Michigan Wolverines. Ludwig chose Michigan over Georgia, the Fighting Irish, and Texas Tech.

BREAKING: Four-Star TE Matt Ludwig has Committed to Michigan, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’4 250 TE from Billings, MT chose the Wolverines over Texas Tech, Georgia, & Notre Dame

“We did it Nicko! Go Blue!”https://t.co/hXhIaTDGSQ pic.twitter.com/WFB2qXTi57
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 20, 2025

Ludwig is considered to be a consensus four-star recruit by every major recruiting platform. He currently ranks on the No. 175 overall player, No. 10 tight end, and No. 1 in the state of Montana for the 2026 recruiting class on the On3 Industry ranking. Rivals also has Ludwig pegged as the No. 10 tight end in the class.

Outside of Michigan and Notre Dame, Ludwig was recruited by some of the other big hitters in college football. Some of his other top offers include Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Oregon, LSU, Texas A&M, Florida, Penn State, Auburn, Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Washington, Louisville, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Cal, Minnesota, Boston College, Stanford, Purdue, and Oregon State among others.

As a junior, Ludwig was dynamic for Billings West. The 6-4, 240-pound pass catcher managed to haul in 53 receptions for 822 yards and four touchdowns. Ludwig added another 149 yards on the ground, while also handling some defensive and punting duties.

Notre Dame continues to be in a good position with Waukee (Iowa) High School tight end Evan Jacobson, which would be a very nice commitment. The Irish staff is interested in bringing in two tight ends in 2026, with Ian Premer being another talented player to know. Losing out on Ludwig isn’t great, but Notre Dame has a chance to recover.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: