Michigan CB commit Chris Ewald brings along star teammate on return visit

Four-star Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna cornerback Chris Ewald Jr. made his budding return to Michigan this past weekend in what was his first time back since committing to the Wolverines in December.

His outspoken nature on social media and behind the scenes to bring a South Florida vibe to Michigan’s 2024 and 2025 recruiting classes stretches beyond his juggernaut high school. But Ewald is making sure that the message to remain teammates at the next level is being heard by his close friend, industry Top 100 defensive back Zaquan Patterson, on a daily basis.

A priority target for Michigan, Patterson flew on the same plane with Ewald on Friday to watch the program in live action inside Al Glick Field House for practice. Patterson’s last trip to campus took place in mid-October for the Penn State game.

“It was nice bringing Zaquan up,” Ewald told The Wolverine. “I think Michigan is going to be one of the leaders for him. He loved the visit. He’s always liked the culture that Michigan has going on and he’s always liked Coach Clink. He likes the way they run practices.”

Zaquan is one-of-two star athletes in the state of Florida who continue to receive pitches from Ewald, ranked as the No. 9 overall sophomore cornerback in the country, as well as DJ Pickett, the No. 1 ranked safety in the 2025 class.

Ewald is eyeing another unofficial visit to Michigan in the summer, potentially for the barbecue, which could see Pickett in attendance too.

“I’m trying to get (Pickett) to commit (to Michigan),” Ewald said. “But at the end of the day, it’s going to be his own decision.”

On Friday, Ewald and Patterson were treated to individual meetings with area recruiter and defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale, who’s established long standing relationships with each of the Chaminade-Madonna secondary standouts.

Anything on-field related was discussed with Clinkscale during the visit. Ewald and Patterson also spoke with defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and head coach Jim Harbaugh about the overarching aspects of the program.

“(Clinkscale) has had a lot of success at Michigan and he’s a players first type of coach,” Ewald said. “He’ll get on you but will always correct you at the end of the day. We were able to sit down and watch some of my sophomore year film. He was telling me what I could work on and fix.”

After the practice, Ewald reunited with former DEFCON1 7v7 teammate Ja’Den McBurrows.

“Practice was good,” Ewald said. “I saw how they conduct themselves in an NFL-type practice. The DBs were making a lot of plays, something that I saw. (McBurrows and I) were really just catching up. He was just telling me what I’m going to witness for myself (at Michigan).”

Ewald is expected to visit Texas A&M on Friday after taking previous unofficials to LSU and Florida State in the month of March.

At 5-foot-11.5 and 161 pounds, Ewald is also listed as the No. 93 recruit nationally and No. 13 in the state of Florida, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

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