Tag: Bryce Underwood

Five things to know about LSU quarterback transfer Michael Van Buren

LSU added a transfer QB on Sunday. Here’s a breakdown of LSU’s recent addition.

LSU football signed its fifth transfer of portal season on Sunday, adding Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren.

The move wasn’t a huge splash, but it was a savvy signing for a team in need of quarterback depth. After [autotag]Bryce Underwood[/autotag] flipped to Michigan and [autotag]Ricky Collins[/autotag] entered the transfer portal, LSU needed numbers.

LSU is set at quarterback entering 2025, with starter [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] announcing his return, but Van Buren sets up the succession plan. With three years of eligibility and SEC experience, Van Buren arrives with a high ceiling.

The four-star quarterback made an immediate impact with the Bulldogs in 2024. Mississippi State struggled in head coach Jeff Lebby’s first season, but Van Buren was a bright spot.

Van Buren’s play was far from clean, but there’s a lot to like about the young QB. Today, we’ll break down what LSU is getting with the Maryland native.

Here are five things to know about Van Buren.

1. Van Buren throws a nice deep ball

The most impressive element of Van Buren’s young game is his deep ball. His arm isn’t the strongest, but he understands touch and placement.

Van Buren puts his receivers in a position to make a play. He’s accurate and can make a back-shoulder throw on a line or perfectly drop the ball in a bucket. The ball doesn’t explode out of his hand, but he can find the distance.

17.6% of Van Buren’s attempts in 2024 had 20+ air yards or more. According to PFF, his big-time throw rate on such passes ranked sixth among SEC quarterbacks.

2. Van Buren struggles with short accuracy

Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel

While the deep ball is there, Van Buren’s quick game needs some work. He struggles with accuracy and reading underneath defenders.

Van Buren’s completion rate on throws 0-9 yards ranked dead last in the SEC. His four interceptions on such throws led the conference.

This pick vs. Ole Miss sums it up. Mississippi State’s receiver slips, but this ball was going right to a Rebels’ defender.

As a freshman, things can happen fast. With a year to sit behind Nussmeier, this area of Van Buren’s game should take a step forward.

3. Struggles under pressure, but there’s promise

Syndication: The Clarion-Ledger

Overall, Van Buren’s numbers under pressure weren’t good. He averaged 5.8 yards per attempt facing the blitz and posted a 35.9 PFF passing grade under pressure.

The tape shows promise. By the end of the season, Van Buren didn’t panic out of the pocket when under pressure — a trap young quarterbacks often fall into. When he did leave the pocket, he kept his eyes down field.

Even with defenders in his face, he can step into the throw and deliver the ball on target.

4. Van Buren is mobile

Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Van Buren isn’t a burner, but he’s athletic enough to be a threat with his legs. Defenses had to account for Van Buren when Mississippi State ran the option. That’s something that wasn’t on the table for LSU with Nussmeier.

Van Buren only had two runs of 10+ yards, but notched five rushing touchdowns on the year.

If Van Buren is the starter in 2026, the offense won’t be built around the QB run game, but it may be a factor.

Van Buren’s legs give him flexibility in the pocket, too.

5. Throws with anticipation

Matt Bush-Imagn Images

Of all the traits, Van Buren’s anticipation offers the most promise. When working the intermediate and deep levels of the field, Van Buren is able to throw his receivers open. You don’t always see that from young quarterbacks.

It’s a sign Van Buren has the mental tools to play this game at a high level. It’s also a signal Van Buren will eventually get this feeling in the quick game.

When you can throw with anticipation, it helps mitigate everything else. Van Buren doesn’t need to rifle the ball in there if he and the receiver are one step ahead of the defender.

Bowl update: Can LSU face Michigan in a bowl game?

Do LSU fans want to see the Tigers face Michigan in a bowl game?

The [autotag]Bryce Underwood[/autotag] recruitment took the college football world by storm over the last month, pitting Michigan against LSU as the two battled for the five-star quarterback.

Michigan won out, flipping the No. 1 overall recruit from the Tigers. It ignited a social media back and forth between the fanbases.

While this stuff doesn’t affect the current rosters on the field — players and coaches have more to worry about than social media recruiting spats between fans — a bowl game with the two programs would bring added intrigue.

A Michigan and LSU bowl date isn’t impossible.

The SEC and Big Ten both have bids to the Music City Bowl in Nashville. And per the recent projections, LSU and Michigan can make the trip.

The USA Today slots the Tigers and Wolverines in Nashville. Other sites have LSU or Michigan in the game but against different opponents.

But with selections to be released on Sunday, this game is on the table.

Surprisingly, LSU and Michigan have never played. Both programs have been around for a long time and are yet to meet in the regular season or a bowl game.

It can be tough to get excited for non-playoff bowl games, but LSU vs. Michigan would pit two of the sport’s top brands against one another. The players would be up for it too.

EXCLUSIVE: Connor Stalions breaks down what makes Bryce Underwood and Elijah Dotson so special

Some really incredible insight into both players! #GoBlue

In late October, there were but mere rumblings that Michigan football was making a late push to lure Bryce Underwood away from LSU. It was message board fodder, rumors that had more than a hint of truth. But very few knew what was going on between the Wolverines and the No. 1 recruit in the country — who happened to play high school ball just 20 minutes down the road.

Even fewer knew that the maize and blue would have an advocate within the Belleville program in short order.

Former Michigan football staffer Connor Stalions has become something of a household name in college football after becoming a daily subject in the sport in 2023. In 2024, Stalions was coaching at Detroit (Mich.) Mumford, first as a defensive coordinator before he found himself ultimately serving as the acting head coach. Once Mumford’s season was done, he got a call, and before he knew it, he was set to serve as the Belleville (Mich.) offensive coordinator for the playoffs.

That meant that Stalions was about to be in close proximity to Underwood as well as his also incredibly talented teammate, safety Elijah Dotson.

Underwood was committed to LSU and Dotson to Pitt, but on Nov. 20, Dotson flipped to the Wolverines and Underwood followed suit the next day. To those in the national media, the Dotson news was somewhat expected. The Underwood news was not.

Having coached both for three weeks, Stalions shared his thoughts exclusively with WolverinesWire, remarking first on Underwood and what makes him such a special player.

Bryce Underwood

The Underwood and Stalions family before the Northwestern game in Week 13. Photo: Isaiah Hole

“Anyone can watch Bryce’s highlight tape and see the talent, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Don’t let his physical traits fool you,” Stalions told WolverinesWire. “Bryce is a reassuring example of how hard work and complete dedication to perfecting one’s craft separates the good from the great.

“First guy there, last guy to leave. Wins every sprint in practice. Treats every single rep like his life depends on it. When he’s not on the field or working out, he’s studying the game. Never satisfied. Always looking for ways to improve. Always getting extra work in. He didn’t get to where he is by accident. He’s ALL about football. He’s only 17, so he has plenty of room to continue to grow, but Bryce already conducts himself like a professional. And every kid who looks up to him needs to understand that his work ethic is what got him to where he is. You can achieve what you want to if you relentlessly put in the work.”

Elijah Dotson

The Dotson and Stalions family before the Northwestern game in Week 13. Photo: Isaiah Hole

Though Dotson has been somewhat overshadowed by Underwood in terms of media coverage, Stalions has insisted that he is a powerhouse player in his own right.

Projecting him as a potential multi-year starter, Stalions says that the safety (who also played wide receiver at Belleville) has a lot of unique qualities that will endear him to the Michigan coaching staff and fan base, alike.

“The same can all be said for Elijah,” Stalions said, noting the aforementioned comments about Underwood. “Elijah pops off on film, flying around the field on both sides of the ball, and he loves to hit. He’s super versatile in coverage, but you really want him in the run fit, too. And he’s really smart. Right after the season ended and he decided to commit to Michigan, he immediately shifted his focus to learning Michigan’s defense. That’s the type of guy he is. Ultimate focus. I’m looking forward to seeing E-Dot’s impact on defense and special teams. Don’t be shocked if you see him find his way on the field ahead of schedule.”

Dotson and Underwood sign with Michigan at Belleville High School on Dec. 4, 2024. Photo: Isaiah Hole

Stalions won’t go so far as to say he had an impact in getting both of Michigan football’s future stars to Ann Arbor. And while he didn’t have a ton of time with them overall, as their coach with the Tigers, he learned a lot — not only about the players on the field but who both Underwood and Dotson are as young men.

Through the process, Stalions got to know both the Dotson and Underwood families, and he could see the values instilled in both. Still an avid fan of Michigan, while he wasn’t overtly recruiting the duo to Ann Arbor, he’s more than thrilled to see both set to wear maize and blue — an occasion marked by both signing with the Wolverines on early signing day on Wednesday.

“Elijah and Bryce are both tremendous young men who come from great families,” Stalions said. “They’re both direct reflections of their fathers, whom I’ve gotten to know well. Regarding their recruitment, Elijah and Bryce really couldn’t go wrong with any decision they made. We didn’t talk too much about recruiting — we were dialed in on football itself. But I’m sure they had difficult decisions, as does everyone who goes through the process. I was only with them for three weeks this season, and I could tell after one practice that they would both succeed regardless of where they played college football. Of course, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out I’m ecstatic to see both of them go to Michigan. But what’s even cooler for me is that I was looking forward to see them play college ball regardless of where it was — now I’ll only have to drive right down the road to see them play.”

Sherrone Moore shares what makes Bryce Underwood a special pickup for Michigan football

This is such a game changer. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It was a Monday in November, and head coach Sherrone Moore was asked about who will be the quarterback in 2024, and a sly grin overtook his face. There as a complete lack of concern and that made people wonder if Moore knew something they didn’t.

Fast forward to Nov. 21, and Moore managed to flip No. 1 player in the country, Bryce Underwood, from LSU. The quarterback of the future had been obtained for the Wolverines.

Moore says that he eventually learned that Underwood would flip when he got a phone call, but as he noted, he had a pretty good feeling that it would eventually happen.

“Phone call — kind of got the gist,” Moore said. “And been around him, and kind of felt like it would happen. But a phone call. So, just extremely excited for that to happen, and all the hard work that we’ve done in the communication and relationship built, felt like it was coming to that, but was really happy that it came to play.”

This wasn’t an overnight ordeal, though it may seem to be to the outside world. Many in the national college football recruiting landscape were taken by surprise because they didn’t realize what the Wolverines were working on behind the scenes.

Now, Underwood is official, as he signed with Michigan football on Wednesday evening. And Moore is thrilled for what his signing does for the program.

“Oh, it’s huge. He’s an excellent player. Obviously, he has a great skill set, elite skill set,” Moore said. “From the pocket, out of the pocket, deep ball, touch, intermediate, short.

“He’s talked to me about different things we want to do with him to expand his game and we’ll do that. But, (an) exceptional leader and he loves the game. He loves to grind. He loves to get better.

“First question he asked me, he’s like, ‘Coach, how late is the door open? How late can I be in the building?’ ‘As late as you want, buddy.’ So excited, very excited to get him here and get to work.”

Underwood shared on Wednesday that he is looking forward to the competition, especially if Michigan brings in a veteran quarterback via transfer. That’s one of the things that Moore loves about his incoming signal caller — he craves competition, and even though he’s rated as the top recruit in the country by all but one of the recruiting services, he has a humility that drives him to work and be the best.

“Yeah, I think for him, it’s about the work and continuing to start over,” Moore said. “The process of how you got to where you got to, you worked to get there. It didn’t just happen. So, for him, he’s going to have to work. He’s going to have to put the work in, day in, day out. And I think his mentality, I think his family, how he’s been brought up, I think that’s going to play a huge role into it. And who he is.

“And there’s not going to be a humbling session. Because the kid is very humble. Like, the kid wants to be good. And the kid knows it takes work to be good. It’s not just going to happen. So, he wants to be pushed, and he will be.”

Underwood is expected to join the team as an early enrollee and will have the opportunity to partake in most all of the Wolverines’ bowl practices.

Bryce Underwood shares thoughts on potential transfer QB coming in, Michigan needing a new OC

LOVE his attitude already! #GoBlue

BELLEVILLE, Mich. — It’s unusual for a big-time college football team to have the No. 1 recruit in the country committed and to then fire the extant offensive coordinator the day before signing day. Such was the case for Michigan football.

The Wolverines gained a commitment from five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood on Nov. 21, and on Dec. 3, after Michigan football beat Ohio State, Sherrone Moore announced he was firing OC Kirk Campbell.

While that may be unnerving to some recruits, obviously, the maize and blue struggled mightily on offense in 2024. With the No. 128 attack on that side of the ball, new blood was needed.

As for Underwood, he trusts Moore will make the right decision to get a coach who will maximize his potential.

“No matter what it is, I really — we really haven’t focused on that,” Underwood said. “That’s really not the conversation. That’s (Moore’s) job to pick. So that’s not in my hands or anything like that. But overall, no matter who it is, I will adjust. I’m very good at adjusting. I’m very good at processing and learning.”

Additionally, the Wolverines likely will not just sit by in the transfer portal at the quarterback position.

Though Underwood could potentially start right away, Michigan football wants to create a culture of competition. It’s rumored that a veteran quarterback — such as USC’s Miller Moss — could come to Ann Arbor to push Underwood and potentially start while the freshman phenom works as his understudy.

Underwood is fully open to that possibility, noting he didn’t come to Ann Arbor for a starting job handout. He wants to earn the opportunity, and he’ll do everything he can to work toward becoming QB1 of Michigan football.

“Competition is competition,” Underwood said. “No matter who they bring in, or who was there — no matter what, I’m still going to compete.”

Underwood is expected to arrive on campus shortly, but he will not be able to start practicing until Dec. 19, he shared on Wednesday.

Signed: Bryce Underwood signs with Michigan football

The No. 1 recruit in the country officially signs with #Michigan. #GoBlue

Ratings

* 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

Vitals

Hometown Belleville (Mich.)
Projected Position Quarterback
Height 6-foot-4
Weight 205-pounds

Recruiting Story

Hailing from Michigan football’s backyard, the Wolverines were behind on getting involved in Underwood’s recruitment from the jump. First, it was because of former quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss, and though Kirk Campbell made up some ground, it was too late, and Underwood ended up committing to LSU.

But the Wolverines stayed in contact, ramping things up after Sherrone Moore took over the program. Once the 2024 season started going off the rails, the program was able to galvanize the donors to make the biggest NIL pitch in history, managing to flip Underwood from the Tigers with just under two weeks until early signing day.

Readiness Level

As far as a recruit is concerned, Underwood is the highest-rated that Michigan has ever brought in. Though expected to see the field early and often in 2025, and could start on day one, the expectation is that the Wolverines will go after a transfer so that Underwood can take some time to develop. Either way, he could take the reins in year one and improves Michigan football immediately.

Notes

  • Committed Nov. 21, 2024
  • His teammate, Elijah Dotson, committed to Michigan football on Nov. 20, 2024

Scouting report

Via 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins:

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.

Film

Original commitment story

BREAKING: Michigan football flips Bryce Underwood from LSU

Photos

Bryce Underwood shares why he flipped from LSU to Michigan football

LOVE this! #GoBlue

BELLEVILLE, Mich. — It was perhaps the biggest story in college football recruiting of the 2025 cycle when No. 1 prospect, regardless of position, Bryce Underwood, flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan football.

The Tigers had Underwood’s pledge from Jan. 6 to Nov. 21. Though national analysts and LSU reporters were adamant Underwood wasn’t going anywhere and didn’t have interest in Michigan, Underwood said that had never been the case.

“Michigan was in my top three no matter where it was,” Underwood said. “Because, one, it’s hometown; one, education; and one, (it’s) the big football team — best football team in Michigan, and also the winningest team in the country, no matter what sport.”

Of course, the Wolverines put together a big name, image and likeness licensing package with Larry and Jolin Ellison being the primary benefactors. But Underwood stresses it wasn’t just about the money.

As he shared his commitment video, it featured a young Underwood pledging to the maize and blue as a child. But now Underwood also understands the importance of the University of Michigan as an institution, as well as carrying the torch for the state.

“Honestly, school,” Underwood said. “School is a big thing with me — like my education is everything. And also me being pushing my hometown state, my hometown big college to the next level, win a couple national championships.”

Michigan came on strong late, but Underwood said he had to take a step back and realize LSU might not be his best option. Evaluating everything — from his family to being a “hometown hero” — he realized that staying in Ann Arbor might be his best option given everything that the school has to offer.

“Honestly, when I had to figure out where my perspective was and everything that helped my family out the most,” Underwood said. “And also me being and knowing what I needed from the school as well.

“This whole opportunity is just nothing but blessings, honestly,” Underwood later said. “I prayed for moments like this when I was younger, just to see — watching people that I was close with, like Dante Moore do his thing, I seen them go through their classes and how they handled it. And I just took notes on them, and it just came naturally. So I say basically me working hard in my process.”

Underwood is an early enrollee and will be able to start practicing with his new football team on Dec. 19, he said.

Five-star cornerback DJ Pickett officially signs with LSU

Five-star cornerback DJ Pickett made it official and signed with LSU on Wednesday

After weeks of anxiety, LSU fans can take a breather. Five-star cornerback [autotag]DJ Pickett[/autotag] is officially an LSU Tiger.

Losses have piled up for the LSU 2025 recruiting class in recent weeks and there was concern Pickett would be another, but [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] and Corey Raymond got it across the finish line.

LSU hired Raymond to recruit cornerbacks of Pickett’s caliber and return LSU to the days of DBU.

Getting Picket on campus is the first step in that direction. According to On3 and Rivals, Pickett is the No. 1 CB in the class. He’s a consensus five-star and the On3 Industry Rankings rank Pickett as the No. 10 overall recruit.

After losing [autotag]Bryce Underwood[/autotag], Pickett is the top signee of LSU’s class. The Tigers will expect Pickett to make an immediate impact in 2025. He has the talent to come in and compete for a starting spot.

LSU had to hold off suitors until the end. Miami, Oregon, and Georgia all desired Pickett’s services.

LOOK: Bryce Underwood courtside at Pistons game, gets custom jersey

Hometown hero! #GoBlue

Oh, what it would be like to be not only the No. 1 recruit in the country, but to be received as a hometown hero.

Such is the case for Michigan football commit Bryce Underwood, the nation’s top recruit in 2025, regardless of position. Underwood was long committed to LSU but flipped to the hometown Wolverines on Nov. 21, just weeks before early signing day.

Underwood is set to sign with the Michigan Wolverines on Wednesday at his high school, but on Tuesday, he made his way to Little Caesar’s Arena to check out the Detroit Pistons game vs. the Milwaukee Bucks. There, he sat courtside.

 

But that’s not all. The Pistons shared some of Underwood’s highlights and then announced him as the incoming Michigan football quarterback before presenting him with a Detroit Pistons jersey, customized with his name and number (19).

 

Underwood also spoke with FanDuel Sports Network and shared his thoughts about flipping from LSU to Michigan football.

“Honestly, very pleased with the decision that I made,” Underwood said. “Honestly, it was mainly a family thing, a business aspect. My family, I feel, will be more set in everything we have to do and make it easier on their half.”

Underwood says that he watched the Michigan win over Ohio State in Cancun and slyly smiled when asked about the result.

Today he’s an honorary Piston. Tomorrow? He’s officially a Wolverine.

Key LSU linebacker commit set to visit Texas A&M on Saturday

A key LSU commit is exploring his options, visiting an SEC rival on Saturday

LSU football’s 2025 recruiting class has taken hits in recent weeks and another top prospect is exploring options outside of Baton Rouge.

Keylan Moses plans to visit No. 20 Texas A&M in its regular season finale against No. 3 Texas in a primetime matchup, per On3’s Chad Simmons.

“What keeps me interested in A&M is how I love their interest in me,” Moses told Simmons.

The Aggies defeated the Tigers earlier this season in College Station. At 8-3, A&M is hoping to punch its ticket to the SEC title game.

A native of Baton Rouge, Moses committed to LSU on November 30, 2023. The 4-star linebacker chose his hometown school over Texas, Florida, Oregon, and Tennessee.

Moses stands at 6-foot-1.5 and 215 pounds. He ranks as the No. 14 prospecting Louisiana and No. 39 at linebacker in the nation.

The LSU 2025 recruiting class currently ranks sixth in the nation. Moses is one of 13 4-star prospects, which includes fellow linebackers Jaiden Barker and Charles Ross. Cornerback DJ Pickett and running back Harlem Berry are the two five-stars left in the class after the loss of No. 1 overall prospect [autotag]Bryce Underwood.[/autotag]