BREAKING: 2022 Texas EDGE Ethan Burke commits to Michigan

2022 Austin (TX.) Westlake edge rusher Ethan Burke announced his commitment to Michigan on Wednesday after making an official visit over the weekend.

Burke, who was previously committed to Maryland for lacrosse, has had a breakout senior season that’s seen him blow up as a football prospect and newly-minted four-star prospect by On3.

Entering the weekend, Burke planned on taking all five official visits and pushing a decision till the February Signing Day. Instead, coming out of the weekend Burke has completely shut down his recruitment, committing to Michigan over Baylor, Utah, Kansas State and Nebraska and will sign to play for the Wolverines in December.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh has personally overseen Burke’s recruitment since offering the 6-foot-7 pass rusher back in mid-November and the relationship the two share, and Harbaugh’s vision for the future, played a key role in his decision.

“I mean, Coach Harbaugh is such a legend,” Burke said. “And you can see what he’s doing over there. He’s brought in a great, great, outstanding coaching staff and I just see them really succeeding here in the future and they’re already doing it right now. So when he gets all of his players there that he’s wanted and been recruiting, I think it’s gonna be really something special.”

On his official visit, Burke had an opportunity to tour Michigan’s facilities and witness how Michigan develops talent.

“Their facilities were outstanding,” he said. “I can just tell how the strength coach and all those coaches work together, and you could see how they develop their players. It was awesome to see their players from freshmen and those kids a few months later. They’re showing me pictures and just the transition of their bodies, their football IQ, and their hands and all that it was cool to experience.”

Burke was front and center for Michigan’s 42-27 win over Ohio State and got to experience The Big House in all its glory.

“I didn’t expect the stadium to be like that, it was it was super loud the entire time,” he said. “And then I like how it has an arena type field. Because from the field, you’re five yards away from the stands, and it’s just so close and that was awesome to see. And then storming the field, there had to have been 10,000 people on that field it was packed, and we got stuck on the field for an hour. So that was just a really, really cool thing to be a part of.”

Aidan Hutchinson’s three-sack performance against the Buckeyes certainly caught Burke’s eye. Coming out of high school, Hutchinson had a very similar athletic profile to Burke as both are on the leaner side, stand over 6-foot-6 and played lacrosse. Burke is expected to fill a similar role as Hutchinson in Michigan’s defense.

Following Michigan’s win over Ohio State, the Wolverines pitch to Burke was simple: The Michigan Wolverines are here to stay.

“They’re ready to be a top program in the country, and that it’s going to stay that way, is really all they explained to me,” he said. “They’re looking to be known as one of those top two teams and it’s going to stay that way in the future.”

Burke then sat down with Michigan defensive assistant Ryan Osborn for an extensive film session breaking down Burke’s high school senior film along with Aidan Hutchinson’s film, which he said was a “really cool experience.”

For Burke, Michigan offered more than just football.

“It’s an outstanding education so that’s a huge plus,” he said. “And their alumni is all over the country so for the future, looking for a job, it’s just a huge plus to go there.”

Michigan has also offered Burke the opportunity to play lacrosse and football, with Harbaugh even encouraging Burke to do both if his body is up for it. Though he’s still undecided on the possibility of playing both sports at the college level, he had the opportunity to see the lacrosse facilities and said that even if he doesn’t play lacrosse, he will be at every game to support as his high school teammate is currently signed to play lacrosse for the Wolverines.

Burke is not expected to be an early enrollee and will join the program over the summer. “A little on the skinnier side” at the moment, the Austin native looks to add 20-30 pounds over the offseason but will still likely redshirt as a freshman while developing his frame in Michigan’s strength program and continuing to develop his knowledge of the game.

With the recruiting process now behind him, Burke will turn his attention fully to bringing Austin Westlake a third-straight state championship. Currently in the midst of a deep playoff run, Burke has recorded 49 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, nine sacks, two forced fumbles, seven passes deflected and an interception with three games left in his senior season if the Chaparrals make the state championship.

Burke is currently rated a the No. 33 edge prospect in the country and a four-star by On3.