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, and though national analysts as well as LSU reporters were adamant that Underwood wasn’t going anywhere and that he didn’t have any interest in Michigan, Underwood says that’s 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 package, with Larry and Jolin Ellison being the primary benefactors. But Underwood stresses that 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 says that he had to take a step back and realize that 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 says.
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