Michigan, through its NIL collective (and Dave Portnoy), presented Bryce Underwood with an offer that he and his family could not refuse. The five-star quarterback will be staying home to play college football for the Wolverines after flipping his commitment from the LSU Tigers.
According to a Baton Rouge-based radio host for ESPN, a yet-to-turn 18-year-old is set to receive the largest financial agreement in the history of Name, Image and Likeness. Although that history only dates back to July 1, 2021, the number is astonishing.
Underwood is the top-ranked prospect in the recruiting Class of 2025. Michigan has had a really difficult year without Jim Harbaugh and most of its roster from last year’s national championship. Sherrone Moore did not have a quarterback. Alex Orji is a phenomenal athlete but couldn’t get the job done. Davis Warren is not the answer. Sixth-year veteran Jack Tuttle retired from the sport all together after losing to Illinois and Washington.
The Wolverines need a quarterback. Bryce Underwood, who grew up approximately 18 miles from campus, is the answer. He is an absolute stud and Portnoy opened up his checkbook to help fund a record NIL deal.
Welcome to Michigan Bryce Underwood!!! And just like that we're back! #goblue pic.twitter.com/IGjgcdbDRL
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) November 21, 2024
Matt Moscona of ESPN Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Alexandria, Lafayette and Lake Charles called it a “Godfather offer” of $12 million. It is unclear how much of that money is a Portnoy pledge.
Bryce Underwood flipped from LSU to Michigan!
Underwood was previously committed to LSU but these last few weeks have been crazy. So much so that Tigers fans are calling for Brian Kelly’s head down on the Bayou. (His buyout is HUGE!)
The 17-year-old (!!) quarterback laughed at a rumor about at $4 million rumor at the end of October… exactly one month before his commitment. To the day. Then it leaked that Michigan was preparing a $5 million deal, which led its only other quarterback commit in this class to leave.
At that point, it was Bryce Underwood or bust for the Wolverines and for Portnoy. Out of nowhere, Connor Stalions started calling plays for Belleville High School during the playoffs. Yes, Connor Stalions the infamous sign-stealer.
Reports about a $10 million offer came to exist about three days later. However, Underwood seemingly reaffirmed his commitment to the Bayou Bengals with a cryptic post on social media. And not just once. The second one was even more on the nose— or so it seemed!
Bryce Underwood even threw up what looked like an ‘L’ during his final high school game over the weekend. He was headed to Baton Rouge. Until he wasn’t.
The No. 1 recruit in college football is now heading to Ann Arbor. Sherrone Moore got his guy.