Friday, September 18, 2026

Michigan Flips No. 1 QB Bryce Underwood With Reported Eight-Figure NIL Deal

The Belleville, Mich., recruit became the second five-star quarterback to flip his commitment this week.

Detroit Free Press

Bryce Underwood became the second five-star quarterback to flip his commitment this week, spurning LSU for his hometown Michigan Wolverines on Thursday. 

Before Underwood officially flipped, reports were swirling Michigan was preparing a massive offer. On3 reported last week that Michigan offered Underwood $10.5 million over four years, while ESPN Louisiana radio host Matt Moscona said Thursday the figure reached $12 million

Underwood is the No. 1 recruit in the nation for the 2025 class, according to ESPN’s rankings. He hails from Belleville, Mich., just a half hour’s drive from the Wolverines’ campus in Ann Arbor. Coincidentally, former Wolverines staffer Connor Stalions is an assistant coach at Belleville High School. Stalions infamously was at the center of Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal during its 2023 national championship season. 

Regardless, it appears the figure was several multiples of LSU’s offer. The Tigers offered Underwood around $1.5 million per year, according to numerous reports. Had Underwood stuck with his commitment, he would have been LSU’s highest-paid player, according to The Advocate. 

Underwood’s flip came a day after Julian Lewis, who is right behind Underwood in ESPN’s rankings, committed to Colorado days after backing off his pledge to USC. 

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson (R-LA) talks with reporters as he arrives prior to the vote in the House of Representatives on its version of the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 22, 2026.

College Sports Bill Faces Uphill Battle in the House

“The stars have to align in the House for the bill to pass.”
Sep 10, 2026; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay during practice at Marvel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

McVay’s Australia Gripe Highlights NFL’s Business-Football Divide

The Rams coach is looking to forget the team’s struggles in Australia.
Hot & Social/Mets

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NFL Ratings Dip, Steve Belichick Resigns, Knicks Ticket Refunds

0:00

Featured Today

Exclusive

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
September 17, 2026

Fantasy Football Drafts Are Turning Into Full-Blown Vacations

Leagues are foregoing solo drafts and replacing them with in-person getaways.
Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena
September 10, 2026

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
September 4, 2026

Wild Transfer Window Shows How Premier League Towers Over Soccer

Spending in England vastly outstripped the rest of Europe.
Tigers Head Coach Lane Kiffin, LSU Tigers take on the LA Tech Bulldogs. September 12, 2026; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium.

How Lane Kiffin Built College Football’s Most Anticipated Game

Kiffin’s return to Oxford has been nearly 10 months in the making.
Landry Kiffin/Fifth Year
September 17, 2026

Lane Kiffin’s Daughter Seizes CFB Spotlight With Clothing Venture

“Having a family involved in college sports helps from a marketing perspective.”
Hawkeye and Oregon fans gather for FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff Nov. 8, 2025 in front of the Old Capitol Building on the University of Iowa Campus in Iowa City, Iowa.
September 17, 2026

College Football’s London Debut Brings Big Opportunity for Fox

Kansas and Arizona State are facing off at Wembley Stadium.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
September 17, 2026

Florida Senators Oppose College Sports Bill Due to Miami, FSU Ambitions

The Protect College Sports Act is moving through the Senate.
Sam Leavitt LSU
September 17, 2026

Sam Leavitt’s Injury Tag Sparks Skepticism Ahead of LSU–Ole Miss

Lane Kiffin has previously faced criticism for his handling of injury reports.
Sep 6, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive coach Steve Belichick during the first quarter against the Charlotte 49ers at Jerry Richardson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
September 17, 2026

Steve Belichick Resigns As North Carolina Closes Investigation

Steve Belichick has been on medical leave since August.
Jay Williams Asset Class Front Office Sports
Exclusive
September 16, 2026

Jay Williams: ‘We All Participated’ in Cash Payments Before NIL

Williams said the payments came in “duffel bags” during the playful exchange.