In a stunning turn of events, five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, the consensus No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 class, has flipped his commitment from LSU to the University of Michigan. This monumental decision marks a significant recruiting victory for the Wolverines and first-year head coach Sherrone Moore citeturn0search0turn0search12.
Underwood, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound signal-caller from Belleville, Michigan, had been committed to LSU since January. However, he announced his decision to stay closer to home, stating, “I’m home,” in a social media post citeturn0search17. His commitment is the highest-ranked quarterback pledge in Michigan’s history, surpassing previous top recruits like J.J. McCarthy and Chad Henne citeturn0search10.
Underwood’s flip is not only a testament to Michigan’s recruiting prowess but also signifies a shift in the program’s approach to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. Previously cautious in the NIL landscape, Michigan has now embraced it, with reports suggesting Underwood’s NIL valuation could exceed $10 million over his college career citeturn0news33.
The commitment also bolsters Michigan’s 2025 recruiting class, which now includes 19 commits, featuring other top prospects like five-star offensive tackle Andrew Babalola and four-star cornerback Elijah Dotson, Underwood’s teammate at Belleville High School citeturn0search15.
Underwood is expected to enroll early, participating in bowl practices and spring drills, positioning himself to compete for the starting quarterback role in the 2025 season citeturn0news34. His arrival brings renewed optimism to a program aiming to return to national championship contention.
In summary, Bryce Underwood’s decision to flip his commitment to Michigan is a landmark moment for the Wolverines, reflecting both a strategic recruiting win and a broader shift in the program’s engagement with the evolving dynamics of college football.