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Michigan is not recruiting Gaige Weddle after his dad's comments about Bryce Underwood.
Before the start of the 2026 college football season, Eric Weddle was vocal about Bryce Underwood’s shortcomings as a passer. It appears to have impacted his son’s recruitment.
The Wolverines have reportedly cut contact with the safety after his father’s negative comments. He will not be attending the university in the future.
Michigan offered Weddle a scholarship in January. They are no longer recruiting him. It’s unclear if the Wolverines were a top option. They will not be considered moving forward.
Who is Gaige Weddle?
The four-star safety is the son of former NFL defensive back Eric Weddle. The elder Weddle spent played 14 pro seasons with the Chargers, Ravens, and Rams. He was a two-time All-Pro first teamer. He racked up 1179 tackles and 29 interceptions in the league.
Weddle’s son looks to follow in his footsteps. He, too, is a highly regarded defender hailing from California.
Gaige Weddle is ranked as a Top 100 player by On3, regardless of position. He holds offers from many of the sport’s major players.
Ohio State is believed to be an option. Georgia, Miami, Tennessee, USC, and Utah could be in the mix, too.
Michigan extended an offer at the beginning of the year. Weddle visited campus in April. It was there that his dad got a firsthand look at the Wolverines’ starting signal caller.
Eric Weddle trashed Bryce Underwood.
“Don’t be surprised if the backup is playing early because that Underwood kid, you know, I don’t think he could throw or play quarterback,” Weddle said in May on the Zero 2 Sixty podcast.
Michigan fans didn’t want to hear the criticism given the massive financial investment in the former No. 1 overall player. As it would turn out, Weddle’s prediction came true.
Underwood was benched in a win over Penn State. Tommy Carr appears to be the starter moving forward. Weddle took a victory lap this weekend.
Michigan fans….. Your welcome!
— Eric Weddle (@weddlesbeard) October 17, 2026
“I knew it back then,” he later said on The Coach JB Show. “They knew it back then. Anyone who knows football knew it.”
There is no doubt Underwood has struggled as a college football player. He averaged 186 yards per game as a freshman with 11 touchdowns and nine picks. His sophomore year has been more of a letdown.
This year, the passer has tossed a Big Ten leading six interceptions. His offense was held scoreless in the first half against Penn State last Saturday. So, the staff made the switch.
While Eric Weddle has been reveling in his viral fame after being proven right, his son has experienced a potential repercussion.
Michigan won’t recruit Gaige Weddle.
The Detroit Free Press wrote a story on Eric Weddle’s accurate forecasting of the Wolverines’ quarterback situation. The outlet says that the school has cut communication.
He was taken aback after he realized (Head coach Kyle) Whittingham and his staff cut of contact with him and stopped recruiting Gaige. It was more difficult to understand considering the relationships he had developed over the years with multiple Michigan coaches. Weddle’s critique of Underwood seemed to have come at a personal cost.
Weddle played for Kyle Whittingham at Utah. He knows many of the assistants due to those ties. Only one, former college teammate Lewis Powell, has remained in communication.
It does not appear that Gaige Weddle will play football at Michigan. The Wolverines may have been turned off by his dad. The California prospect will look elsewhere when making his commitment decision. Michigan, for now, is off the board.