In a shocking turn of events, 4-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, one of the most coveted recruits in the 2025 class, made headlines with his commitment flip from LSU Tigers to the Michigan Wolverines.
Bryce Underwood: A Star in the Making
Before diving into the specifics of his commitment flip, it’s important to understand the background of Bryce Underwood. A native of Belleville, Michigan, Underwood is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. His combination of size, athleticism, and a powerful arm made him a sought-after recruit from a young age. Standing at 6’2″ and weighing 210 pounds, Underwood is a prototypical dual-threat quarterback, capable of making plays both in the air and on the ground. During his high school career, he impressed scouts with his poise in the pocket, leadership skills, and ability to read defenses.
By the time he entered his junior year, Underwood had become one of the most talked-about recruits in the nation. His original commitment to LSU in the summer of 2023 came after a strong relationship was built with the Tigers’ coaching staff, especially with offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and head coach Brian Kelly. Underwood was seen as a potential game-changer for LSU’s future, and his commitment was celebrated as a major victory for the Tigers’ recruiting efforts.
However, the world of college football recruiting is often volatile, and less than a year after his pledge to LSU, Bryce Underwood began to reconsider his options. This was not an uncommon scenario, as elite recruits frequently receive new offers, attention, and even visit opportunities from other programs, making them rethink their early decisions. In Underwood’s case, the Michigan Wolverines were not only still on his radar but had begun to actively recruit him, and in a bold move, Michigan’s top brass devised a plan to land Underwood, culminating in a secretive visit that would ultimately lead to his decommitment from LSU.
The Top-Secret Michigan Visit
The catalyst for Underwood’s commitment flip from LSU to Michigan was a covert visit to the Wolverines’ campus in Ann Arbor. This visit was carefully planned, and the details surrounding it were kept under wraps, even within the recruiting world. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, known for his unconventional approach and knack for making big recruiting splashes, took a personal interest in Underwood’s recruitment. The Wolverines had always been a prestigious football program, but after the departure of several key figures in their quarterback room, they had begun to prioritize landing an elite QB prospect like Underwood.
The visit was arranged with minimal fanfare and in an effort to keep it private. Michigan’s coaching staff understood that revealing the visit to the public could spark unwanted attention and possibly derail their chances of landing Underwood. For Underwood’s part, he had agreed to make the visit in secrecy to avoid further complications with LSU, where his relationship with the coaching staff remained strong. However, his growing interest in Michigan was undeniable, and the Wolverines knew that this visit would be their best shot at swaying his commitment.
The details of the visit itself were nothing short of strategic. Harbaugh and Michigan offensive coordinator Sharon Moore, a former tight ends coach with a strong reputation in recruiting, worked in tandem to create an experience that would appeal to Underwood’s vision of his future. The Wolverines showcased their plans for him as their future quarterback, highlighting how Underwood could fit seamlessly into their offensive system. They also made sure to emphasize their history of developing NFL-caliber quarterbacks, a key factor that Underwood was likely considering in his decision.
Michigan’s coaching staff took special care to make Underwood feel at home on his visit. The campus was buzzing with excitement, but the staff ensured that he was able to meet with current players, specifically quarterbacks who could provide first-hand insight into what life as a Michigan signal-caller would entail. The emphasis was placed not just on football but on academics and Michigan’s storied football culture. This was more than just a visit to watch practices or hear pitches — this was an immersive experience that positioned Michigan as the perfect place for Underwood’s growth both as a player and as a student-athlete.
The Wolverines also made sure to showcase their football facilities, which have seen significant upgrades in recent years. Michigan’s state-of-the-art training center, weight room, and football field all played a part in selling the program’s vision to Underwood. The tour included meetings with Michigan’s strength and conditioning staff, who discussed how they would tailor their program to his development.
During his visit, Underwood reportedly had in-depth conversations with Harbaugh, a coach known for his hands-on, personable approach. Harbaugh’s pitch was not just about football; it was about the long-term potential for Underwood to develop under a coaching staff that had a proven track record of success at the highest level. Harbaugh’s resume includes stints in both the NFL and college football, and his ability to relate to young quarterbacks was something that helped Michigan pull Underwood’s attention away from LSU.
One of the most significant elements of the visit was the discussion surrounding Michigan’s future quarterback situation. With several quarterbacks in the fold, including current starter J.J. McCarthy, Michigan made it clear that Underwood would be the program’s centerpiece in the future. Harbaugh and Moore spoke at length about how they saw Underwood’s skill set fitting into their offense, and how his presence would elevate Michigan’s chances of winning national championships in the years to come.
LSU’s Response and Underwood’s Decommitment
In the days following the Michigan visit, Bryce Underwood was noticeably more open about his thoughts on the Wolverines. He continued to communicate with LSU’s staff, but it became clear that his heart was no longer fully in his original commitment. The LSU coaching staff, led by Brian Kelly and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, had worked tirelessly to build a strong rapport with Underwood. However, Michigan’s offer, with its tailored pitch and the allure of playing for Harbaugh, proved to be a major draw.
Underwood’s flip was ultimately confirmed in late November, as he publicly announced that he was decommitting from LSU and had chosen to commit to Michigan. The announcement sent shockwaves through the college football world, especially considering the timing of his decision and the secrecy surrounding the Michigan visit. The flip was a major victory for Michigan, not just in terms of landing a top-tier quarterback but also in terms of signaling their growing ability to compete with elite programs like LSU on the recruiting trail.
The Aftermath: What It Means for Michigan and LSU
For Michigan, landing Underwood was a massive win. The Wolverines had already established themselves as one of the top teams in college football under Jim Harbaugh, and securing a player of Underwood’s caliber was a testament to their continued rise. Michigan’s offense, which had been steadily improving, now had the potential to become a juggernaut with Underwood at the helm in the future. With Underwood’s commitment, Michigan solidified its standing as a premier destination for top quarterbacks, and it bolstered the program’s recruiting efforts across the board.
For LSU, Underwood’s decommitment was a blow to their recruiting efforts, but it was not the end of the world. The Tigers remain a top-tier program with a strong recruiting class, and while losing Underwood stung, LSU would quickly pivot to other quarterback prospects to fill the void. However, the timing of the flip, coming after such a secretive and well-executed visit, left LSU with little time to adjust to the news.
Ultimately, Bryce Underwood’s decision to flip his commitment from LSU to Michigan was influenced by multiple factors, with the secretive visit to Ann Arbor playing a pivotal role. Michigan’s ability to connect with Underwood, showcase their plans for his development, and highlight their culture and facilities proved to be the decisive factors in securing his commitment. For Underwood, the opportunity to develop under a coach like Jim Harbaugh and play for a program with such a rich football tradition was simply too good to pass up, and it was this vision that ultimately sealed the deal filp from lUS tiger …