Chris Ewald Jr. Backs Off Michigan Pledge

2025 four-star corner Chris Ewald Jr. (Hollywood, Fla.) has backed off his commitment to the Michigan Wolverines. The Tennessee Volunteers were previously very involved.
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Chaminade-Madonna Prep corner Chris Ewald Jr. had been a long-time Michigan commit, but the four-star junior backed off his pledge over the weekend. Ewald is ranked as the No. 86 prospect in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports' Composite Rankings, and is now one of the top defensive backs on the national market.

Tennessee hosted Ewald on June 2, and according to Ewald, they did a fantastic job. "The facility tour and spending time with the coaches were really important," Ewald shared with Volunteer Country. He got a lot of face time with defensive backs coach Willie Martinez, who has made him feel prioritized. Martinez is the one who extended the camp invitation to Ewald and made him take Tennessee seriously.

"When I got home, I realized how serious Tennessee was. Coach Martinez told me that I'm No. 1 on his board." Tennessee is well ahead of schedule in the 2025 class. They have set up a pretty concrete recruiting board, though it is subject to change. It means something when they tell a recruit they have them as the No. 1 prospect on their board. Getting to see Tennessee legitimized them in Ewald's eyes. "It was very important to see it in person. It's like dating a girl you've never seen." It's going to be difficult to pry him away from the Wolverines. He has a strong relationship with the coaching staff in Ann Arbor, but Ewald is listening closely to Tennessee. They hope to get him on a return visit very soon, but currently, they are in a very good spot.

2025 4-star CB Chris Ewald Jr. during an unofficial visit to Tennessee. (Photo courtesy of Chris Ewald Jr.)
2025 4-star CB Chris Ewald Jr. during an unofficial visit to Tennessee. (Photo courtesy of Chris Ewald Jr.)

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Evan Crowell
EVAN CROWELL

Evan Crowell is the lead publisher of Sports Illustrated-FanNation's Volunteer Country, serving as a beat reporter covering football, basketball, and recruiting. He previously worked as the lead publisher of Sports Illustrated-FanNation's Gamecocks Digest.