Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy wasted no time celebrating a huge recruiting win for the Michigan Wolverines, but that doesn’t mean he was the driving force behind it. On Thursday, Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 overall recruit for the class of 2025, announced his commitment to Michigan, flipping from his previous pledge to LSU.
Underwood, a 6-foot-4 quarterback from Belleville, Michigan, is now the highest-rated recruit Michigan has ever landed. His decision is seen as a monumental victory for the Wolverines, adding serious talent to their future roster. However, many were quick to speculate about Portnoy’s involvement, considering his long history of being an outspoken Michigan alumnus and fan.
Portnoy had previously hinted that he was ready to use his financial power to help his alma mater secure top talent, even suggesting he would be willing to spend millions of dollars to bring a star quarterback to Ann Arbor. This led many to wonder if he had a direct hand in swaying Underwood’s decision.
In the aftermath of Underwood’s announcement, Portnoy posted a celebratory video on social media, reveling in the quarterback’s choice to join the Wolverines.
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However, he later clarified that his role in making the commitment happen was minimal. Despite the assumptions and the credit he received online, Portnoy made it clear that his influence was limited.
“I’m getting tons of credit online for flipping Bryce. While I love credit, reality is I played a tiny role,” Portnoy wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Rest assured, there are Michigan Men and Women out there making things happen behind the scenes. I’ve never been more confident that Michigan is poised to dominate in this new world.”
Portnoy’s comments hint at the behind-the-scenes efforts of other influential Michigan supporters who may have been instrumental in securing Underwood’s commitment. His acknowledgment of these individuals shows that while Portnoy is a vocal supporter, there are many others working to boost Michigan’s recruiting efforts.
The commitment of Underwood was also preceded by another key move—his high school teammate, Elijah Dotson, flipped his commitment from Pitt to Michigan earlier in the week. Dotson’s decision seemed to foreshadow what was to come with Underwood, as the duo from Belleville will now bring their talents to Ann Arbor together.
Michigan fans are understandably thrilled, as Underwood is not only a massive addition to the team but also represents the potential for sustained success in the evolving landscape of college football.
The Wolverines are hoping that these recruiting victories will lay the foundation for future championships, and Dave Portnoy’s public celebration, even if somewhat exaggerated, is a reflection of the excitement among the Michigan faithful.
As Michigan continues to make waves in recruiting, it’s clear that the Wolverines have a growing support system both on and off the field.
Portnoy may be an outspoken cheerleader, but he acknowledges that the real work is being done by a much larger group of committed Michigan supporters who are helping to put the program in a position to thrive.
