QB Bryce Underwood is the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class and Michigan is putting together the NIL funds and pitch to land him. Here’s how Underwood could immediately put Michigan back in the National Championship conversation.
The Michigan Wolverines were fortunate enough to have a generational talent like J.J. McCarthy at quarterback from 2021-23. McCarthy was a five-star prospect out of high school and had an illustrious career as Michigan’s starting quarterback. He went 26-1 overall, with wins in the Rose Bowl and the National Championship Game in 2023.
Michigan is now trying to land another generational talent at quarterback in five-star Bryce Underwood. Underwood is not only the No. 1 QB in the 2025 class, he’s the No. 1 overall prospect. Underwood is currently committed to LSU, but Michigan hopes to change that.
Per Pete Nakos of On3 , Michigan is offering Underwood a comprehensive NIL package that is worth north of $5 million over 3-4 years, which is “on par” with what LSU has offered him. Nakos is calling Michigan’s push to find another top-tier quarterback, ”the most well-funded Michigan NIL operation since the NIL Era began in July 2021.”
Underwood plays right down the road from Ann Arbor in Belleville, Michigan. As a senior, he has thrown for 1,477 yards, 19 touchdowns and one interception, while also rushing for 427 yards and three touchdowns.
Underwood is a dual-threat quarterback that has no glaring weaknesses. His arm talent is stellar, and his ability to make plays with his legs is downright electric and game-changing. 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins recently compared Underwood to former Texas Longhorns quarterback Vince Young, calling Underwood a “multi-year impact player for a College Football Playoff contender that has a chance to eventually emerge as a first-round pick in the NFL Draft with his tools.”
On3’s Steve Wiltfong recently reported that Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore has continued to have dialogue with Underwood, calling the dialogue “real.” If Underwood did flip to Michigan, Wiltfong believes it would open the eyes of a few other players before the early signing period in December.
When Underwood committed to LSU in January, he mentioned being developed as a quarterback to prepare himself for the NFL as a major reason for his decision, along with “having a relatable offense.” The Wolverines can point to J.J. McCarthy being selected No. 10 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft as proof they can develop a quarterback, but Michigan’s scheme might have to be tweaked to better cater to Underwood’s skillset to convince him to flip.
Michigan currently has the No. 129 ranked passing offense in the nation and will have to prove to Underwood there’s a plan to get the passing game back on track, and that it will be a mesh of better scheming and better personnel.
What the Tigers really have going for them is the success Jayden Daniels had and has had in the NFL since being drafted No. 2 overall by the Washington Commanders. Daniels won the Heisman last season with 40 passing touchdowns, just four interceptions, 1,134 rushing yards and 10 rushing scores. Daniels now has the Commanders leading the NFC East at 6-2 and ranks No. 5 in ESPN Total QBR (72.7).
Even with as good as Daniels was at LSU, the team was just 10-3 and left out of the College Football Playoff. Michigan, on the other hand, just won a National Championship led by a first-round pick in McCarthy.
As evidenced by their NIL pitch to Underwood, and the recent commitment of five-star offensive lineman Andrew Babalola, the Wolverines want to win it all again in the near future. There’s no doubt Michigan’s 2024 season has been a disappointment, but there’s also no doubt they’re doing what they can to land big time recruits.
If Michigan can somehow land Underwood, it could completely change the trajectory of Moore’s tenure as head coach — not just because of Underwood’s play, but because he would likely create a domino effect of other big time recruits committing to Michigan. The Wolverines’ 2025 class currently ranks No. 14 on 247Sports , a ranking that could rise a lot higher if Underwood, a Michigan native, decides he wants to become a Michigan Man.