The Wolverine

February 2025

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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50 THE WOLVERINE ❱ FEBRUARY 2025 BY EJ HOLLAND F ive-star 2025 Michigan quarterback signee Bryce Underwood was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Michigan. He passed for 2,509 yards and 32 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions. He also rushed for over 600 yards and 6 touchdowns en route to leading Belleville (Mich.) High to a 10-2 record and a playoff appearance. "Gatorade Player of the Year is the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation's best high school athletes for their success on the field, in the class- room and in the community. The award distinguishes Underwood as Michigan's best high school football player, and he joins an impressive group of alumni that spans CEOs, coaches and star athletes such as Emmitt Smith (1986-87, Escam- bia High School, Fla.), Peyton Manning (1993-94, Isidore Newman School, La.) and DJ Lagway (2023-24, Willis High School, Texas)," Gatorade announced via a press release. Underwood also won the award last season. Ranked as the No. 1 quarterback and No. 1 overall prospect nationally, Un- derwood originally committed to LSU in January but flipped his pledge to Michigan this fall. He signed with the Wolverines in December and enrolled early, joining the team for practices prior to the ReliaQuest Bowl. At 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, Underwood is considered by many as a generational prospect at the position. He will have an opportunity to compete for Michigan's starting quarterback job as a true fresh- man. On the opposite side of the ball, Michi- gan safety signee Kainoa Winston was named the District of Columbia's Max- Preps Player of the Year. Winston recorded 71 tackles, 2 inter- ceptions, 2 forced fumbles and 2 blocked kicks. He also rushed for 225 yards and scored 5 touchdowns on offense en route to leading Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga to a 7-4 record. "Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2024 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades," MaxPreps announced. Ranked as the No. 10 safety and No. 100 overall prospect nationally in the On3 In- dustry Ranking, Winston gave Michigan a verbal commitment in June and signed with the Wolverines during the early signing period. He is set to be a regular enrollee at U-M. Winston picked Michigan over fellow finalists North Carolina, Oregon and Penn State. ZAHIR MATHIS A PRIORITY IN LATE SIGNING PERIOD On300 Philadelphia Imhotep edge Zahir Mathis is the biggest priority for Michigan on the defensive side of the ball going into the late signing period, which starts on Wednesday, Feb. 5. Mathis recently backed out of his ver- bal pledge to Ohio State and has been in constant communication with the Wol- verines over the last month. "I have a really good connection with them," Mathis said. "I've been having good conversations with them since the decommitment. Everything has been go- ing smoothly. … They tell me they have a good baseline for me and are good for me off the edge." Both Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore and defensive line coach Lou Es- posito are leading the way in his recruit- ment. "Everything is going good with Coach Moore," Mathis said. "Every time we talk, it's good. It's amazing with Coach Es- posito. He hits me up every day. He actu- ally reached out to my family and wants to get to know them more. Coach Espo is a good guy. I have a good bond with him." Michigan has produced quite a few top edge players over the last decade, which is definitely moving the needle with Mathis. "With the edges they have there and the edges they had there, they all develop well," Mathis said. "Each guy has high explosion, quick hands and fast feet like me." ❱  MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK Bryce Underwood And Kainoa Winston Earn Top Honors Michigan safety signee Kainoa Winston was named the District of Columbia's MaxPreps Player of the Year. He is ranked as the No. 10 safety and No. 100 overall prospect nationally in the On3 Industry Ranking. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND

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