The University of Michigan hopes to find a long-term solution to the quarterback woes plaguing the Wolverines in 2024.
The school received a verbal commitment from five-star QB Bryce Underwood on Thursday. The Michigan native is the No. 2 player in the country, according to Rivals, and was previously slated to commit to LSU.
If Underwood signs with Michigan during the early signing period in December or the regular signing period in 2025, he will be the school’s highest-ranking recruit since Rashan Gary joined the Wolverines in 2016.
Underwood also becomes the Rivals’ first five-star player to sign with the Wolverines since DB Will Johnson in 2022. Johnson has developed into one of the best defensive backs in college football and is likely to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The verbal commitment from Underwood came on the same day Colorado received a verbal commitment from five-star QB Julian Lewis. He was the No. 6 player in the country and had recently decommitted from USC.
Underwood currently plays at Belleville High School, which also employs disgraced former University of Michigan official Connor Stallions. Yes, really. Stallions remains an assistant at the school after his advance scouting plans reportedly became a storyline for the 2023 college football season.
This will be Stallion’s second high school job this season. He started the season with Detroit Mumford.
Regardless of his ties to the Stallions and the role former staffers may or may not have played in Underwood’s recruitment, the importance of Underwood’s transition to Michigan cannot be overstated. The Wolverines have not had a high-profile QB in the state in recent years and are in great need of a solid QB to overhaul the offense under first-year head coach Sherrone Moore.
It’s no wonder the coach was excited about the news on social media.
Michigan is 5-5 with two games left in the regular season, thanks in large part to the play of its versatile QB. This season, Michigan has had three different players start at QB and have combined to complete less than 60 percent of their passes, throwing nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. Overall, Michigan QBs are averaging just 6 yards per pass attempt.
If Underwood signs in December, he will have the opportunity to enroll early at the University of Michigan and participate in spring practice.
The only player ranked higher than Underwood in Rivals’ rankings is QB Tavian St. Clair. He has verbally committed to Ohio State, Michigan’s biggest rival, starting in June 2023. The Buckeyes added two top quarterbacks to the Class of 2024 in Air Noland and Julian Sain.
Thanks to Underwood’s efforts, Michigan’s 19-man class is tentatively ranked No. 11 in the Rivals rankings.
