Michigan football is banking on a quarterback turnaround in 2025, aiming to unlock its high-powered potential after a season that exposed the position as the team’s biggest roster question. The Wolverines will enter the year with freshman Bryce Underwood, a five-star quarterback from Belleville High, set to begin his first season as Michigan’s starter as the team opens the season against New Mexico.
Underwood arrives in Ann Arbor as the consensus No. 1 player in the 2025 recruiting class, and he is widely regarded as the program’s most highly touted quarterback commit since the modern recruiting era began in 2002. The five-star prospect is the unanimous top-ranked recruit in his class and holds the top spot at the quarterback position and in-state ranking, underscoring the magnitude of Michigan’s commitment flip.
His recruitment story is one of the most notable in recent memory. Underwood originally committed to LSU in January 2024, but he flipped to Michigan on November 21, 2024. Michigan’s staff secured the deal after a late push, an effort that included influential appeals from prominent alumni. Notably, Tom Brady engaged with Underwood in the closing weeks of the recruitment, and Portnoy was also part of the final push, with Brady offering to be a resource if the quarterback chose Michigan.
Even as the decision swung in Michigan’s favor, Underwood’s own remarks reflected a thoughtful, family-centered calculus. On national signing day, he explained that Michigan’s appeal grew as he considered what would best support his family and his education. He stressed that academics and the opportunity to help his hometown school rise to national prominence played a central role in his decision.
The recruitment narrative places Underwood in a rare echelon for Michigan. The program had previously landed only one other No. 1 consensus recruit in its history in Rashan Gary (2016), making Underwood the highest-rated quarterback commitment for Michigan since the modern era began. His placement among the top-ranked players in the 2025 class reinforces Michigan’s ability to attract premier talent and signals a potential shift in how the Wolverines approach the quarterback position going forward.
Logical takeaways for Michigan are clear: a five-star quarterback with a track record of expectation and leadership could catalyze a more dynamic passing game and elevate the offense as a whole. However, the transition from high school to college, the adjustment to a new program, and the learning curve in a complex offensive system will all be factors to watch as Underwood develops under the coaching staff.
Additional context highlights Michigan’s broader trajectory. The 2025 season kickoff against New Mexico presents an early test for Underwood and the offense, with the expectation that his presence will bring a meaningful upgrade in quarterback play. The combination of elite talent, a proven support network including high-profile alumni, and a program ready to lean into a sooner-than-expected leadership role at the sport’s most scrutinized position creates a hopeful outlook for Michigan’s offense this season.
Summary: Bryce Underwood arrives as Michigan’s biggest recruiting win in recent years and the centerpiece of a hopeful QB upgrade. His background, the flip from LSU, and the high-level endorsements from notable figures all signal a new era for the Wolverines at a position that has long drawn intense focus. If development matches hype, Michigan could see a marked improvement under this five-star quarterback as they push toward national ambitions.
Positive note: With a top-ranked recruit who emphasizes education, family, and championship aspirations, Michigan has laid a strong foundation for a quarterback-led surge this season.