The Michigan Wolverines secured top recruit Bryce Underwood, winning the 2025 bidding war. Concerns linger among college football coaches about this decision regarding the young quarterback.
Underwood agreed to a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal worth roughly $10 million, earning nearly $3 million each season at Michigan.
Despite high expectations, the Wolverines’ 2025 performance did not justify the expense. Underwood, a freshman from Detroit, threw for 2,428 yards, scoring 11 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He completed 60.3% of his passes and rushed for 392 yards, adding six touchdowns over 88 carries, leading Michigan to a 9-4 record.
A coaching critic expressed doubts to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, questioning both Underwood and Michigan’s coach Kyle Whittingham’s ability to nurture quarterback talent. “He’s a good head coach, but in 21 years, they haven’t had a quarterback drafted,” the coach remarked. “Paying someone money doesn’t make them good. There’s going to be a reality check.”
A Big Ten defensive coordinator shared that Underwood’s hefty salary increases expectations. “Mixed reviews arise because of the recruiting expectations,” the coach commented. “We’ve targeted many young talents because of the exorbitant pay.”
Underwood struggled in Michigan’s 27-9 defeat to Ohio State, completing eight of 18 passes for 63 yards with one interception and managed one rushing yard in six attempts. During the Citrus Bowl against Texas, he achieved 199 passing yards with two touchdowns but threw three interceptions.
Though Underwood’s freshman season was underwhelming, he may evolve significantly in his sophomore year within Whittingham’s system.
Underwood’s journey highlights the risk of overpaying high school recruits based on hype. Some players fail to transition effectively at the college level, suggesting that funds could be allocated more wisely within the team.
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