In the world of college football recruiting, finding a tight end who can dominate both as a blocker and a receiver is like striking gold. Michigan Football might have just found their treasure in Ridge Janes, the nation's No. 2 ranked tight end in the 2028 class according to Rivals.

The four-star prospect from St. Louis (Mo.) De Smet made his first trip to Ann Arbor in early April, and it was nothing short of a home run. "My visit was really great," Janes shared with Maize n Brew. "It was my first time seeing the campus and the facilities and the stadium. The coaches and staff were all so welcoming."

Though the Wolverines weren't holding formal spring practice during his visit, Janes got an insider's look at the program's day-to-day operations. He sat in on team lifts and meetings, getting a firsthand feel for how Michigan operates. But the highlight? One-on-one time with tight ends coach Freddie Whittingham.

"I like how Michigan uses the tight ends, and it was great talking football and offensive schemes with coach Freddie," Janes said. "Coach Freddie showed how they use the tight ends and that I could be an every-down tight end for them."

That's the kind of praise that gets recruits—and fans—excited. In Michigan's offense, tight ends are more than just safety valves; they're versatile weapons who can line up inline, in the slot, or even out wide. Janes, who also ranks as the No. 1 overall prospect in Missouri for the 2028 cycle, fits that mold perfectly.

Janes also had a sit-down with head coach Kyle Whittingham, who left a strong impression. "Had a great conversation with coach Whitt," Janes said. "He's awesome and is super excited about his team and about Michigan, which is great."

Beyond the football, Janes was impressed by Michigan's commitment to academics—a key factor for any student-athlete. "Michigan really takes academics seriously too, which I like," he noted.

With the visit in the rearview mirror, Janes is already looking ahead. "Would love to get back on campus soon, but definitely for a gameday visit," he said. For Michigan fans, that's a promising sign that the Wolverines are firmly in the mix for one of the nation's top young tight ends.