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4-star TE Matt Ludwig takes spring visit to Georgia

hunterby:Hunter Shelton•04/04/25•

HunterShelton_

Matt Ludwig Georgia
4-star TE Matt Ludwig on visit to Georgia (Photo via @matt_ludwig23 on X)

Georgia is always keen of signing blue-chip tight ends out of high school and Billings (Mont.) West four-star TE Matt Ludwig is one of the top prospects at the position in the 2026 cycle.

The Bulldogs are near the top of the list for the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder and he returned to Athens for a spring visit this week, spending time around head coach Kirby Smart and the UGA staff:

Back in January, Ludwig announced a top four of Georgia, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas Tech. A new team in the mix is Notre Dame, which has now locked in April 22 official visit. Summer trips to UGA (June 6), Texas Tech (June 16) and Michigan (June 20) are currently set, too.

For Georgia, it’s the relationship with tight ends coach Todd Hartley that has Ludwig so fond of the Bulldogs.

“Love coach Hartley and his coaching style,” Ludwig told On3’s Steve Wiltfong after naming his top schools. “Like the way they use their tight ends in the offense.”

Ludwig is the No. 161 overall prospect and No. 9 TE in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the top-ranked player in Montana and one of the top recruits to come out of the state in recent memory.

In 11 games as a junior, Ludwig turned 53 receptions into 822 yards and four touchdowns while helping Billings West to a 9-2 record and an appearance in the state semifinals.

More on Georgia Recruiting

The Dawgs do already have a blue-chip tight end in their 2026 class. Saline (Mich.) four-star Lincoln Keyes pledged back in November and is now the No. 324 prospect and No. 17 TE in the cycle.

“Coach Todd Hartley makes me feel at home and Georgia fits every category that I care about,” Keyes told On3’s Chad Simmons. “The development, the relationship with the coaches, how tight ends are used and how versatile they are at Georgia – Georgia is the spot to be for sure.”

Keyes is one of six commits in the mix for Smart and Co. to date. The class ranks No. 17 early on in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Tustin (Calif.) Mission Viejo four-star wide receiver Vance Spafford is the top-ranked commit in the class, checking in as the No. 66 recruit and No. 9 receiver in the cycle. He’s one of two receivers in the class, alongside Cartersville (Ga.) three-star Brady Marchese, who pledged last month.

Long Beach, Calif. native and IMG Academy (Fla.) four-star safety Zech Fort is the No. 9 safety in the cycle, while Jonesboro (Ga.) four-star cornerback Jontavious Wyman is the No. 19 CB in the class. In-state JUCO defensive lineman Seven Cloud rounds out the pledge list.