Matt Ludwig

Attended Billings West High School in his hometown of Billings, Montana … two-way star that ranked as the top athlete in the state of Montana and one of the best recruits in the country … starred as a tight end and defensive end for Billings West, one of the top high school programs in the state. · Named the Montana High School Player of the Year by MaxPreps after leading Billings West to a 10-2 record and the Class 2A state title game … caught 50 passes for 736 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior, while also rushing for 137 yards and another seven scores … strong season earned him All-State accolades for the third time in his illustrious prep career … also recorded 32 tackles, including 13.5 for a loss and 4.0 sacks, defensively as a senior. · Previously hauled in 53 passes for 822 yards and four touchdowns as a junior in 2024, while also rushing for 149 yards and another two scores … called on at quarterback on occasion, completing 5-of-6 passes for 46 passes … registered seven tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, defensively over 11 games … also the punter for the Golden Bears during his prep career, averaging 35.7 yards an attempt as a junior with a long of 61 yards. · Made his prep debut with 36 catches for 441 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore … consistently found the end zone, rushing for 204 yards and four touchdowns on the ground … added to the defensive efforts with 26 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and a shared sack. · Invited to play in the 2026 Navy All-American Bowl in San Antonio following his senior season … was the lone athlete from the state of Montana to be invited to the prestigious all-star game … · Multi-sport athlete, also starring in basketball and track and field for Billings West … was a first team All-State selection on the hardwood as a junior … claimed the Class 2A state title in the discus as a junior and was part of the state runner-up team in the 400-meter relay … also a state qualifier that year in the 100-meter dash and the shot put. · Consensus four-star prospect by the likes of Rivals, ESPN and 247Sports … was the top recruit in the 2026 class from the state of Montana … ranked as high as No. 8 among tight ends nationally by ESPN and was No. 10 by 247Sports and No. 12 by Rivals … consensus top-300 prospect by all three publications, ranking as high as No. 225 overall by Rivals. · Originally signed with Michigan before being allowed out of his scholarship agreement after the Wolverines made a coaching change … committed to Texas Tech on Dec. 12, 2025, only weeks before joining the program as a mid-year enrollee … CHOSE TEXAS TECH OVER: Michigan, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Georgia, Tennessee, Nebraska, Penn State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Texas, LSU, Washington, Florida, Indiana, Stanford and Auburn, among others. Matthew Ludwig Jr. … goes by the nickname "Moose" … son of Matt Sr. and Tessa Ludwig … has two younger siblings in a sister, Alivia, and his late brother Nicko … brother passed away in February 2023 at the age of 12 after battling severe congenital heart defects his entire life. · Family has established the 5 Beats For Nicko Foundation to support kids and family impacted by congenital heart disease through scholarships, grants and youth programs … as part of this, hosted the first 5 Beats for Nicko Football Camp in May 2026 to give back to the Billings community and raise awareness of the medical challenges his late brother faced … will wear the No. 5 jersey as a Red Raider as a way to honor his late brother who wore the number growing up. · Father was a football student-athlete at Purdue before joining the coaching profession, serving as a strength and conditioning coach at the likes of Washington State (2001-05) and the University of Washington (2005-12). · A marketing major at Texas Tech.