In high school, Ortmann played both tight end and offensive tackle at Klein High School in Klein, Texas where he also threw the discus (he was district champion as a junior) and shot put.[1] Ranked as the number 43 offensive tackle in the nation and the number 90 player in the state of Texas according to rivals.com.[2] He was a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Latin National Honor Society in high school.[1]
At Michigan, he was a three-year letterman, playing in 36 career contests, starting in 25 career games: made 21 starts at left tackle, two at right tackle and two at left guard during his career. He was elected captain as a fifth-year senior.[1] During the October 31, 2009 game against the Illinois Fighting Illini he was involved in controversy when a punch he threw to the groin of Corey Liuget who had recovered a fumble became a noted video on YouTube. The action was expected to result in a suspension.[3] No suspension was served.[4] He served as co-captain with Brandon Graham, Zoltan Mesko and Stevie Brown. Following the season, he was a co-recipient, along with Stephen Schilling, of the Hugh R. Rader Jr. Award as Michigan's top offensive linemen. As a senior, he represented Texas in the February 6, 2010 Texas vs. The Nation Game.[5]