The college football landscape was sent into a frenzy with the astonishing news of five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood making a significant switch from LSU to Michigan. This turn of events added even more pressure to Tigers head coach Brian Kelly, who was already facing a disastrous November. For Sherrone Moore, the first-year head coach of the Wolverines, Underwood's commitment was a major coup for the 2025 recruiting class. It marked one of the first substantial flips that Moore could claim as his own, as most of Michigan's 2024 class had committed under the previous coach, Jim Harbaugh.

Why the Flip Occurred

There are several factors that led to Bryce Underwood's ultimate decision to flip. One of the key elements was Michigan's NIL collective, known as Champions Circle. According to reports, this collective played a crucial role in attracting Underwood to the Wolverines. CBS Sports' Dennis Dodds mentioned that the rumored deal from Michigan was around $10 million, while The New York Post reported the exact figure to be $10.5 million. In contrast, LSU's NIL deal offer to Underwood was only around $1.5 million.Underwood's secret visit to Ann Arbor on Monday and Tuesday was also significant. During this visit, he shadowed Moore at practice, attended meetings, and gained a deeper understanding of Michigan as a whole. Matt Zenitz from CBS Sports added that Underwood developed a relationship with former Wolverines star and future NFL Hall of Famer Tom Brady, which further influenced his decision.Another organization that played a crucial part in pulling off the flip was Michigan NIL collective Champions Circle. Some of the big names involved with the collective include Michigan booster Nate Forbes, the managing partner of The Forbes Company, as well as boosters Jolin and Larry Ellison. The Champions Circle released a statement following Underwood's commitment, naming all three people and expressing their excitement.Larry Ellison, a billionaire and co-founder of Oracle, was reportedly instrumental in Underwood's flip. Although his connection to the school was not immediately clear, his involvement added significant weight to the Wolverines' recruitment efforts. It's also worth noting that Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports was reportedly involved, although the extent of his financial involvement remains unclear. He stated that he spoke with Underwood and his family during the process.

Understanding Champions Circle

Champions Circle is Michigan's NIL collective, which provides support to athletes across all sports. As stated on their "Who We Are" page, their goal is to empower University of Michigan student-athletes to be the leaders and best through name, image, and likeness. The collective is committed to operating within NCAA and university guidelines to ensure Michigan remains at the forefront of college athletics. They partner with Valiant Management Group (VMG) to hold NIL events and assist with fundraising and marketing activities.There are numerous board members listed on the website, including Nate Forbes. According to a list of top NIL collectives by On3Sports, Champions Circle is ranked 13th nationally. Each collective included in the list was estimated to spend over $200 million this year.

Larry Ellison's Net Worth

Ellison co-founded the Oracle Corporation in 1979. With a net worth of around $235.3 billion, he is listed second on Forbes' list of billionaires, behind Elon Musk. His financial resources have undoubtedly played a significant role in Michigan's recruitment efforts, especially in attracting high-profile recruits like Bryce Underwood.

Dave Portnoy's Net Worth

Portnoy founded Barstool Sports in 2004 and has a reported net worth of around $150 million. His involvement in Michigan's recruitment process, although not fully understood, added another dimension to the Wolverines' efforts.

The Impact on Michigan

In Michigan's first season without Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines have faced challenges at the quarterback position. They have gone back and forth between Davis Warren and Jack Tuttle. With just two games left against Northwestern and Ohio State, the team is still not bowl eligible with just five wins.However, Underwood's commitment is a significant boost for the Wolverines. As noted by Sporting News' Bill Bender, Underwood is Michigan's highest-rated quarterback per 247Sports and is only the fifth five-star signal-caller the team has recruited since 2005. The last two such recruits were Chad Henne in 2005 and Ryan Mallett in 2007.Regardless of how the deal was structured, this is a massive recruiting win for Moore and Michigan. It puts the Wolverines back in the playoff and Big Ten title conversation for 2025, giving them a strong chance to compete at the highest level in college football.