Rivals300 TE Matt Ludwig reopens recruitment after Michigan fires Sherrone Moore

Matt Ludwig was granted release from his NLI and reopened his recruitment Thursday afternoon, one day after Michigan announced the school’s decision to fire former head coach Sherrone Moore. He’s the No. 199 recruit in the country out of Billings (Mont.) West High.

“I requested my release from Michigan and I’m opening up my recruitment,” Ludwig told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong. “Michigan did approve my release.”

This decision comes after, per a statement from U-M athletic director Warde Manuel, Moore was fired this week after an investigation by the university.

“U-M head football coach Sherrone Moore has been terminated, with cause, effective immediately,” Manuel said the a statement. “Following a University investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. This conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such behavior.”

Ludwig originally pledged to the program in May, picking the Wolverines over Texas Tech, Georgia, Notre Dame and many others. Tight ends coach Steve Casula was his primary recruiter.

Michigan holds 26 signees in its 2026 class that ranks No. 12 nationally— five-star Mineral (Va.) Louisa County running back Savion Hiter, five-star Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga EDGE Carter Meadows, Top 100 Honolulu (Hawaii) Kamehameha offensive tackle Malakai Lee, Rivals300 St. Louis (Mo.) DeSmet defensive lineman Titan Davis, Rivals300 wide receiver Brady Marchese, Rivals300 Needham (Mass.) St. Sebastian’s offensive lineman Marky Walbridge, Rivals300 Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith wide receiver Travis Johnson, Rivals300 Waco (Texas) Connally cornerback Jamarion Vincent, Rivals300 Liberty Hill (Texas) High defensive lineman Alister Vallejo, four-star Chicago (Ill.) Simeon EDGE McHale Blade, four-star Richmond (Va.) Hermitage defensive back Andre Clarke, three-star Cartersville (Ga.) Cass offensive lineman Bear McWhorter, three-star Washington (D.C.) St. John’s EDGE Tariq Boney, three-star Denver (Colo.) Mullen tight end Mason Bonner, three-star Dallas (Texas) Parish Episcopal wide receiver Jaylen Pile, three-star Richmond (Va.) Huguenot linebacker Markel Dabney, three-star Hinsdale (Ill.) Central kicker Micah Drescher, three-star Columbus (Ohio) St. Francis DeSales running back Jonathan Brown, three-star Wilmette (Ill.) Loyola Academy offensive lineman Tommy Fraumann, three-star Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier linebacker Aden Reeder, three-star Jackson (Miss.) Hartfield Academy linebacker Kaden Catchings, three-star Saline (Mich.) High quarterback Tommy Carr, three-star Newberry Park (Calif.) High quarterback Brady Smigiel, three-star Washington (D.C.) St. John’s offensive lineman Adrian Hamilton and three-star Phoenix (Ariz.) O’Connor long snapper Colton Dermer.