By: Jonathan Karas
November 24, 2024
Photo Credit; Wolverines Wire
The Michigan Wolverines haven't had this type of positive buzz around the football program since winning the 2023-24 CFP National Championship.
On Thursday, November 21st, five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood - who is the #1 ranked quarterback and top overall prospect in the 2025 high school class - announced that he was flipping his college football commitment from LSU to Michigan. Two days later, on Saturday afternoon, the Wolverines trounced the Northwestern Wildcats in the Big House by a score of 50-6, with Underwood all smiles in attendance.
Underwood, a Michigan native, played his high school football for Belleville High, just a 30 minute drive away from Ann Arbor, where he now plans on playing in college. On the surface, it may look like Underwood wanted to be the hometown hero, the catalyst of a potential revitalization for a historically successful, nationally visible football program that has gone from the pinnacle of the sport to a mediocre outfit within the same year. However, there is a lot more under the surface of his decision to flip his commitment. Let's dive in...
NIL has become the name of the game in college football, and as a result, NIL had a lot to do with Underwood making this decision. Reports from multiple reputable sources indicate that Michigan’s NIL collective offered a package worth upwards of $10-10.5 million in exchange for Underwood's commitment to Michigan. LSU, in contrast, reportedly offered around $1.5 million, still a hefty price for a high school senior, but not remotely in the same ballpark to Michigan's offer (Morgan Moriarty, The Sporting News).
To put this in prospective, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who has spent three pro seasons in the NFL and has already reached a Super Bowl and two NFC title games with the Niners, has made $930,000 annually during his time in the NFL. Underwood, meanwhile, will head to his Michigan freshman orientation with more than 10 times that amount attached to his name, putting him on track to become the highest paid college athlete ever, easily surpassing Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and his $6.2 million valuation (On3 NIL Rankings).
While finances seem to be the biggest factor in swaying Underwood to flip his college commitment, there were some other forces at play as well. It has also been reported that U-M (and NFL) legend Tom Brady had been chatting with Underwood for weeks before the team finally landed him (Matt Zenitz, CBS Sports). Additionally, Barstool Sports founder and owner Dave Portnoy, who is a fellow Michigan alum, has been vocal about his involvement in the process, stating that he went as far as speaking with Underwood's family. Finally, unsurprisingly, Michigan's head coach, Sherrone Moore, was also instrumental, having Underwood spectate Michigan practices and listen in on meetings during an in-person visit this past week.
By Thursday, Underwood was fully convinced, he made his official announcement on social media, and it was a done deal. With Underwood now in the fold starting next season, Michigan has gained serious steam in the recruiting process, with rumors circulating regarding multiple highly regarded high school prospects expressing a desire to join forces with Underwood in Ann Arbor. Switching focus to Michigan's performances on the gridiron during this past season, it's been a year of tumultuous play on offense, specifically at the QB position, which makes Underwood's imminent arrival a potential breath of fresh air. Underwood will also have the opportunity to forge a head-to-head rivalry between himself and fellow quarterback Tavien St. Clair, the #2 quarterback (and overall prospect) player in the 2025 high school class, who is committed to Michigan's archrivals, Ohio State.
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