Bryce Underwood, currently the foremost football recruit in the nation, has made the decision to switch his commitment to the University of Michigan after initially agreeing to play for LSU, as confirmed by an insider on Thursday evening.
The source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, disclosed this information to avoid disclosing the recruit’s intentions prematurely.
Underwood highlighted his new commitment by pinning a post on his Instagram, featuring a report from On3.com announcing his decision to join the Wolverines.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound quarterback has been a standout player at Belleville High School, located approximately 15 miles from Ann Arbor, and had previously informed LSU nearly a year ago of his intention to sign with their program.
Earlier this month, Underwood and his family showed off their allegiance to LSU by wearing its merchandise while attending a game in Baton Rouge, where Alabama defeated the Tigers with a score of 42-13.
Michigan’s head coach, Sherrone Moore, whose inaugural season has faced challenges due to a lack of effective quarterback play, continued his pursuit of Underwood. This effort was bolstered by a name, image, and likeness (NIL) collective, which ultimately proved fruitful.
For a player of Underwood’s caliber, NIL deals can range from $5 million to $10 million, reflecting his market value.
Michigan has collaborated with a collective known as Champions Circle to facilitate financial opportunities for its athletes, which was pivotal in securing Underwood’s commitment.
Nate Forbes, a founding member and chair of Champions Circle, expressed excitement about Underwood’s decision in a statement, emphasizing the importance of keeping talented players close to home as they build their careers.
With Underwood’s commitment, the defending national champion Wolverines gain new hope for their program.
Currently, Michigan, with a record of 5-5 and 3-4 in the Big Ten, needs to secure a win against Northwestern (4-6, 2-5) on Saturday to become bowl-eligible. They will then conclude their season on the road with a match against their second-ranked rivals, Ohio State.