The Michigan Wolverines pulled off the recruiting move of the year by flipping the nation’s No. 1 recruit, Bryce Underwood, away from LSU. Underwood’s decision to join his hometown school instead of committing to the LSU Tigers has sparked significant speculation, with many believing that the choice was influenced heavily by financial incentives.
The big question that many people have been asking is just how much Michigan agreed to pay Underwood through an NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal to secure his commitment.
While the exact amount Michigan offered to convince Underwood to change his commitment is not officially confirmed, there are reports providing some insight into the number.
Last week, ESPN Baton Rouge radio host Matt Moscona claimed that he had been informed that Michigan agreed to pay Underwood an impressive $12 million as part of an NIL deal.
Although unverified, this figure has since been circulated in other reports, adding fuel to the already rampant speculation about how much the Wolverines were willing to invest to land their top target.
Since Underwood’s commitment announcement, more details have come to light, providing some clarity regarding the NIL deal. According to sources, Michigan publicly thanked billionaires Jolin and Larry Ellison for providing the financial backing necessary to land Underwood.
The Ellisons reportedly teamed up with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy to make the deal possible. Portnoy, a notable Michigan alumnus and multi-millionaire, has been vocal in the past about his willingness to contribute financially to ensure his alma mater secures elite talent at the quarterback position.
Previously, Portnoy mentioned that he would be willing to spend a few million dollars per year to help Michigan acquire a top quarterback prospect.
If the reported $12 million is accurate, the deal would break down to around $3 million annually over a four-year period — fitting within the range that Portnoy had discussed publicly.
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It appears that wealthy alumni and benefactors are stepping up to make Michigan a top contender in the increasingly competitive landscape of college football recruiting.
The NIL landscape has fundamentally changed the way college football recruiting operates, and the move to secure Bryce Underwood may be one of the most striking examples of this shift.
Although precise details about how much top athletes are earning through NIL deals are often kept under wraps, there are some recent examples that provide context.
In 2023, quarterback Jaden Rashada reportedly received a $13.85 million offer to sign with Florida.
The deal eventually fell through, leading Rashada to decommit from Florida and later play at Arizona State before transferring to Georgia. The reported $12 million figure for Bryce Underwood’s NIL deal is therefore not entirely unprecedented, as top-tier quarterback prospects are becoming increasingly valuable commodities.
While $12 million may seem like an enormous sum for an unproven high school player, it reflects the lengths that some programs are willing to go to secure elite talent.
For Michigan, landing Underwood represents not only a significant recruiting win but also a statement of intent.
The Wolverines have made it clear that they are ready to compete with the financial might of other powerhouse programs and that they are willing to leverage their wealthy alumni base to make it happen.
This kind of investment is the result of fans like Jolin Ellison, Larry Ellison, and Dave Portnoy stepping in to change the game.
Their financial backing allowed Michigan to offer Underwood a compelling deal, ensuring that the top recruit would stay close to home and join the Wolverines. With the involvement of these high-profile donors, Michigan has positioned itself to compete at the highest level of college football recruiting in the new NIL era.
Ultimately, Bryce Underwood’s decision to commit to Michigan shows how much of an impact NIL deals can have on the recruiting process. As more wealthy fans and alumni get involved, the landscape of college sports will continue to shift.
Whether the $12 million figure is accurate or not, it is clear that financial incentives are becoming increasingly important, and Michigan’s recruiting victory may well pave the way for similar deals in the future.
With Bryce Underwood now in the fold, the Wolverines look poised to strengthen their program and continue competing for championships in the years to come.
