On Nov. 4, just a few days after the 2025 four-star quarterback Carter Smith decommitted from Michigan, head coach Sherrone Moore was questioned about the Wolverines' chances of adding a quarterback in this cycle. With a sly smile, he simply stated, "We'll be fine." And he was right. On Thursday, Michigan made one of the most significant splashes in its recruiting history. Belleville's five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, the top overall recruit in the country, switched his commitment from Louisiana State, where he had been verbally pledged since January. This 6-foot-3 signal-caller instantly became the centerpiece of Michigan's 2025 class, which now ranks in the top-10 in the 247Sports Composite rankings and includes two five-stars and five top-100 prospects. Prying Underwood, who plays high school football less than 20 miles from Ann Arbor, away from LSU is a massive victory for the Wolverines, who had one of the worst-ranked passing offenses in the country in 2024.

What's Being Said Nationally About Underwood's Decision

ESPN's Field Yates posted: "A huge get for Michigan, as Bryce Underwood flips from LSU. There's been a strong sense in the scouting community that Garrett Nussmeier will be returning for another season at LSU. Underwood's decommitment makes Nussmeier's return that much more important."Former Michigan tight end and current Big Ten analyst Jake Butt posted: "HUGE news for Sherrone Moore and Michigan as they lock down QB Bryce Underwood. From a talent standpoint, they're getting one of the best in his class, but the real benefit is the ability to sell the direction of the program to attract other top recruits and portal players."On3 recruiting director Chad Simmons posted: "Juju Lewis flipped from USC to Colorado. He will start day 1 in Boulder. Bryce Underwood flipped from LSU to Michigan. He will start day 1 in Ann Arbor."Robert Griffin III posted: "Michigan just got a program changing commitment from Bryce Underwood. More top prospects will want to commit because of him too."Yahoo! Sports columnist Dan Wetzel posted: "No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood flips from LSU to Michigan. This is a big deal – for opposite reasons – for both programs."Roy sports insider Brandon Brown posted: "Bryce Underwood may end up being responsible for completely changing the trajectory of #Michigan football and it might not have anything to do with what he does on the field. He's the kind of prospect that forced everyone at Michigan to get on board with the way NIL is done these days. With him in the fold, and the reported numbers available for public consumption, the NIL/recruiting machine that is the Michigan Wolverines is now unleashed and it will be hard for any other program in the country to match what U-M can offer in all facets. This truly has the potential to be a game-changing commitment."Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, a Michigan alumnus, posted: "Welcome to Michigan Bryce Underwood!!! And just like that we're back! #goblue"Former NFL OL and current 97.1 radio personality TJ Lang posted: "Wow. Huge news. Sherrone can recruit. Now who are his WRs going to be?"On3's Andrew Graham posted: "Bad month for Brian Kelly no matter how you cut it, though"Rivals recruiting reporter Tim Verghese posted: "2-3 years of Bryce Underwood vs Tavien St. Clair in The Game moves the needle for me"Michigan beat writer for 247Sports Zach Shaw posted: "Michigan's biggest recruiting win since … ever?"NBC Sports lead college football reporter Nicole Auerbach posted: "Significant development for Sherrone Moore heading into Year 2."Former Justin Rose, former WXYZ sports reporter, posted: "We're about to see what paying a high school kid 10+ million gets you. Welcome to the new era of college football, Michigan."The Wolverine's Anthony Broome posted: "The money cannon and all boats sailing in the same direction works. It was about damn time Michigan jumped into this territory. Outstanding job by everyone involved, truly. Potentially a era-defining flip for Sherrone Moore."Underwood's commitment to Michigan has sent shockwaves through the college football world. His talent and the impact he is expected to have on the program cannot be overstated. Michigan now has a true star at quarterback, and this could be the catalyst for attracting even more top recruits in the future. The Wolverines' passing offense, which was once one of the worst in the country, now has a chance to be transformed with Underwood at the helm. His leadership and on-field abilities will be crucial as Michigan looks to build on this recruiting success and make a run in the upcoming seasons. The addition of Underwood also shows the power of NIL in college football and how it can attract top talent. Michigan has embraced this new era and is reaping the benefits. With Underwood in the fold, the Wolverines are poised to make a significant impact on the college football landscape.Another aspect to consider is the competition that Michigan faced in recruiting Underwood. LSU was a strong contender, but Moore and his staff were able to convince Underwood to choose Michigan. This is a testament to their recruiting skills and the vision they have for the program. Underwood's decision also sends a message to other top recruits that Michigan is a program on the rise. It shows that they are willing to invest in their football program and offer the resources and opportunities that top athletes desire. The Wolverines have a bright future ahead, and Underwood is a key piece of that puzzle. His arrival has already generated a lot of buzz and excitement, and fans are eager to see what he can do on the field. As Michigan continues to build its roster and improve its program, Underwood will be a key factor in their success. He has the potential to become a legendary quarterback at Michigan and leave a lasting legacy. The impact of his commitment extends beyond just the football field. It has the potential to inspire the next generation of Michigan football players and fans alike. Underwood's story is a reminder that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. Michigan is now a force to be reckoned with in college football, and Underwood is a big reason why.