It’s been a journey that no one really expected — both for Bryce Underwood as well as Michigan football.
The Wolverines sought after the No. 1 prospect in the country early in his recruitment, but he never quite appeared to reciprocate, opting instead to commit to LSU. However, the maize and blue got back into the recruitment in the offseason, doing so quietly, working behind the scenes to exert some NIL muscle as it hadn’t before, all while pushing the school.
Though many within the recruiting industry or in LSU circles didn’t believe it, Michigan made a move with Underwood late in the recruiting cycle. And thus, the Wolverines got the No. 1 prospect in the country to flip from LSU, despite being pledged there since January.
Breaking: Bryce Underwood, ESPN’s No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2025, is flipping his commitment to the Michigan Wolverines, he told school officials today.
It’s a big day for @umichfootball, HC Sherrone Moore and @champcircleuofm as they land the highest-rated recruit… pic.twitter.com/4afP0z2Tny
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 21, 2024
Here is how Underwood rates according to the recruiting services:
| * | Ovr | Pos | St | |
| 247Sports Composite | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| On3 Industry Ranking | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 247Sports | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| On3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| ESPN | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Rivals | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
The scouting report from 247Sports:
Potential franchise signal caller with the ideal blend of size, arm talent and athleticism. Exhibited no shortage of field command midway through senior season, which makes sense given resume: over 48 career starts and upwards of 165 touchdowns accounted for. Those numbers are amplified even more by the fact that he’s extremely young for the grade and won’t turn 20 years old until his third year of college. Has continued to improve as a passer and has gotten much more in tune with his mechanics. However, the biggest revelation in his final prep campaign has been his ability to move the chains with his legs as he builds speed and dodges defenders as an open-field runner with a frame that’s north of 6-foot-3 and pushing 215 pounds. Displays excellent pocket awareness for his age and isn’t one that panics as pressure builds. Does best to stay on schedule and hit his marks with authority, showing the ability to not only challenge tight coverage windows with velocity over the middle, but also throw with both touch and anticipation to the second and third levels. Projects as a multi-year impact player for a College Football Playoff contender that has a chance to eventually emerge as a first-round pick in the NFL Draft with his tools. Might need a semester or two to find his footing, but ability to hunt big plays and distribute on the move could be hard to keep off the field even if he’s still learning how to dissect complex defenses.