Bryce Underwood made a surprise announcement on Thursday, following months of speculation about his recruitment. It became clear that Michigan football was actively pursuing the country’s top recruit, who is also a local talent.

Interestingly, the news broke during a “Sportscenter” segment by Adam Schefter.

Schefter, an ESPN NFL expert and Michigan graduate, revealed that Underwood, a quarterback who was previously committed to LSU, had decided to join the Wolverines instead. Underwood later confirmed his commitment in a video he shared on Instagram, marking a significant win for Michigan and coach Sherrone Moore after last season’s impressive national championship run.

Despite gaining fame at Belleville High School nearby, Underwood’s journey to Michigan included many unexpected twists, particularly as Michigan intensified their recruiting efforts in recent weeks. Here’s a closer look at Underwood and his choice to play football at Michigan rather than LSU:

Bryce Underwood’s recruitment journey

Underwood first gained national attention for his impressive performance as a freshman at Belleville High School, where he threw for over 3,000 yards and 39 touchdowns.

At 6 feet 3 inches, he is often compared to football legends like Vince Young and Cam Newton, and is recognized as the top prospect in the 2025 recruiting class according to various national rankings.

Underwood initially committed to LSU in January, just days before Michigan secured their national title against Washington, after Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy under Coach Brian Kelly. However, this fall, reports began circulating that Moore, now in his first year, had renewed efforts to recruit Underwood.

This month, fans of Michigan started attending Underwood’s playoff games at Belleville High to encourage him to join their team. Just as rumors surfaced that Michigan may have offered him $10.5 million, Underwood posted on Instagram wearing an LSU jersey, suggesting he was leaning towards staying with the Tigers.

Bryce Underwood, Larry Ellison, and Michigan NIL

Michigan’s efforts to convince Underwood to change his commitment coincided with a broader push for NIL support from significant donors. The Champions Circle NIL collective highlighted the contributions of Oracle founder Larry Ellison in their statement celebrating Underwood’s commitment.

“We are thrilled to keep Bryce at home in Michigan as he builds his legacy,” said chairman Nate Forbes. “I would like to personally thank Jolin and Larry Ellison for their critical support and guidance that made this possible.”

While the details of Underwood’s NIL deal with Michigan have not been disclosed, previous reports indicated that LSU had offered him an annual salary of $1.5 million, a sum that would have positioned him as the highest-paid player on the squad.

Implications of Underwood’s flip for Brian Kelly and LSU

Underwood’s switch to Michigan comes at a challenging time for Coach Brian Kelly, who is facing mounting pressure as his third season at LSU struggles to gain traction. The Tigers recently suffered a 27-16 defeat to Florida, extending their losing streak to three games and eliminating their chances for the College Football Playoff.

Following Underwood’s announcement, LSU dropped to No. 6 in the 247 Sports recruiting rankings for the class of 2025. Recruiters suggest LSU could lose additional players as concerns within the program grow, especially without Underwood’s commitment. Kelly must now work to stabilize his recruiting class while finishing the current season strongly to avoid an unstable future.

Connection between Bryce Underwood and Connor Stalions

Interestingly, there is indeed a connection.

Connor Stalions, a former Michigan staffer known for his involvement in the recent sign-stealing controversy, has started working with Underwood’s football team at Belleville High School. It is still unclear whether Stalions influenced Underwood’s commitment switch from LSU to Michigan. Belleville co-head coach Calvin Norman mentioned to the Detroit Free Press that Stalions is involved in the offense and is “observing Bryce.”

Can Bryce Underwood resolve Michigan’s quarterback dilemma?

This season, Michigan football has seen a decline from its national championship success to struggling for bowl eligibility. Much of this downturn can be attributed to issues at quarterback, with the Wolverines owning the lowest passing offense among Power Five Conference teams as they prepare to face Northwestern on Saturday.

Michigan has been unable to find a reliable successor to J.J. McCarthy, rotating through three different starters. Underwood is expected to take charge early in his college career, and the attention he received during recruitment was likely affected by Michigan’s significant struggles with passing this season.

Bryce Underwood’s age

Bryce Underwood is currently 17 years old and will turn 18 on August 19, 2025. He is considered one of the younger prospects in his recruiting year.