The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1529264
44 THE WOLVERINE ❱ DECEMBER 2024 BY EJ HOLLAND M ichigan's pursuit of five-star Bel- leville (Mich.) High quarterback Bryce Underwood is very real. The nation's No. 1 player committed to LSU over Michigan early on in the recruiting cycle in January 2024, and both parties seemed to go their separate ways. Michigan took a verbal pledge from On300 Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith, while Under- wood really locked in with the Tigers and made no other visits. However, with Michigan's quarter- backs struggling on the field this season and the future of the position in doubt, U-M head coach Sherrone Moore is leading a late push for Underwood be- fore early signing day in December. He is a game-changer and could have plenty of success as a first-year starter in Ann Arbor. Moore has spoken to Underwood and is very close to his camp. Remem- ber, Moore recruited around the Detroit metro area when he was an assistant at U-M as well as when he was part of the staff at Central Michigan. Those around Underwood love Moore and respect him as a coach and human being. Traditionally, Michigan has avoided recruitments with large NIL dollar fig- ures attached. But that's not the case here. Desperate times call for desperate mea- sures. Michigan knows it needs a stud at the quarterback position, and nobody in the room — including highly touted fresh- man Jadyn Davis, who has yet to take a snap — appears to be the answer moving forward. The portal will be a must this offseason unless, of course, Michigan is able to land Underwood. U-M still has some work to do, but NIL won't be an issue. There is strong support from important folks connected to the program who want to make the Under- wood dream a reality. They have a plan and the money, and they are in deep dis- cussions with the right people in Under- wood's camp. LSU will continue to counter U-M on the NIL front, and Underwood still has questions about Michigan's ability to de- velop at the quarterback position as well as the offense in general. He has always loved the idea of play- ing for an SEC program and going down South. He really feels at home in Baton Rouge and was back there for his official visit on Nov. 9, a 42-13 LSU loss to Ala- bama. Plus, Underwood has yet to make a recruiting visit to Michigan this season. So, what can Michigan do to win him over? Don't back down with NIL. Keep Moore in daily contact. Underwood has a terrific relationship with LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan. He needs to feel just as comfortable with Moore. Under- wood has friendships with those in the LSU class. Get as many Michigan com- mits, specifically Top 100 Katy (Texas) Jordan wide receiver Andrew Marsh, as involved as possible. Continue to pitch starting right away and building the of- fense around him. NIL is a critical piece to this recruit- ment, but Michigan still needs to work those other angles over the next several weeks. CARTER SMITH DECOMMITS FROM MICHIGAN On300 Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith backed out of ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK Michigan Back In Mix For Five-Star QB Bryce Underwood Michigan is trying to flip LSU commit Underwood, the Belleville, Mich., quarterback who is rated as the No. 1 player in the country. PHOTO COURTESY ON3