Tag: Bryce Underwood

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]

WATCH: Bryce Underwood high school highlights

You’re gonna want to see this. #GoBlue

Michigan football has a lot of things going on right now — some of them good, some of them bad.

At the moment, as far as the product on the football field is concerned, besides the game against Northwestern last week, there’s not a lot to like. The Wolverines have struggled, and though anything can happen any given Saturday, the Nov. 30 game at Ohio State feels like a likely loss — though the team would suggest otherwise.

On Friday, Michigan lost its prized 2026 quarterback commit in Brady Hart, as Hart reclassified to 2025 and flipped to Texas A&M.

But last week, the Wolverines got about the best news it could get, indicating the future is bright in Ann Arbor. Bryce Underwood, a five-star quarterback and the No. 1 recruit in the entire country, flipped his commitment from LSU to the maize and blue.

While that news is exciting enough, you’ll be even more excited as a Michigan fan if you see more of what Underwood can do and what makes him so special.

Compared, talent-wise, to Trevor Lawrence or Vince Young, Underwood is potential day-one game-changer. He can already make every throw, so the development piece will be more mental and knowledge-based than anything.

So, no matter what happens on Saturday to close out the 2024 regular season, excitement should be high in and around Ann Arbor.

Four-star recruit decommits from LSU, may join Florida State

LSU’s 2025 recruiting class took another hit on Thursday night. Can Brian Kelly keep the class together?

LSU football’s 2025 recruiting class took another hit on Thursday night. Four-star DE La Jesse Harrold decommited and became the third blue-chip recruit to leave the LSU class in the last two weeks.

Last week, LSU lost Devin Harper and [autotag]Bryce Underwood.[/autotag] Now Harrold joins the exodus.

According to reports, Florida State is the favorite to land Harrold. The Florida native had been computed to LSU since June 22.

A month ago, LSU had a chance to finish with the best recruiting class in the country. Now, LSU is just trying to hold it together and finish with a top-eight class. The Tigers’ class is taking hits, but we aren’t seeing many pieces added to make up for it.

Harrold may not be the last to leave. Four-star wide receiver Derek Meadows is reportedly trending to Alabama. Meadows has been committed to LSU since July.

According to On3, LSU’s class still ranks sixth nationally. If the Tigers hold on to five-star CB [autotag]DJ Pickett[/autotag] and a few others, the class will remain a success.

J.J. McCarthy gives advice to incoming Michigan football QB Bryce Underwood

This is just too pure. #GoBlue

J.J. McCarthy may be the Michigan GOAT at quarterback in terms of his play in college (Tom Brady is the GOAT, but he didn’t lead Michigan football to a national championship as McCarthy has) but his heir apparent is potentially on his way to Ann Arbor in just about a week.

McCarthy was a five-star QB, an enigmatic talent that made the Wolverines’ offensive engine not only run but hum. He wasn’t the only component (Blake Corum was also an integral figure) but when Michigan needed to convert long third downs, it was McCarthy who was able to make those plays.

Though not yet signed (early signing day is on Dec. 4), Bryce Underwood has a lot of potential to fill McCarthy’s shoes. The No. 1 overall prospect in 2025 isn’t just an enigmatic talent, he’s a generational one, likened often to that of Trevor Lawrence who went to Clemson out of Cartersville (Ga.). Though Underwood will likely be an instant upgrade at the position, it’s still a process going from high school to college.

Appearing on The L.A.B. podcast with Jake Butt, McCarthy shared that he has spoken to Underwood and shared some advice with the incoming five-star.

“I sent Bryce a little text the other day on my advice to him. But I will just add a little something else if he sees this: my advice to him would be to chase the suck. Chase the stuff that you absolutely do not want to do,” McCarthy said. “One of the greatest things I learned from the great and legendary Greg Harden was to do everything 100 percent, 100 percent of the time. Whether it’s that class you do not want to go to that’s on the other side of campus — you’re going to do it. Whether it’s that conversation that you don’t want to spend the next 30 seconds in, you sit there and you do that, because that kid, that girl, that guy, whoever it is, might need it.

“Just understanding that Michigan, where you are, inevitably, the people you surround yourself with — the cold, the strict academics, the strict football schedule — all of that is going to make you better. But it’s how are you going to take advantage of it in the time that you’re there?

“Of course, everyone has a little bit of regret. I still have a little bit of regret doing those things, because I know on the other side of it when you have no class and you don’t have to write a paper and you can just focus on ball — your life changes. But you will never get those three, four years back — or five, seven, however many years you get now. But you’ll never get that back, where you had to do that.”

Especially in the changing landscape of college football, there are no guarantees that Underwood will replicate McCarthy’s success. But if he follows this advice, that’s at least a good leadership position for the Belleville (Mich.) signal caller that could help him greatly.