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LSU Commit Bryce Underwood Declines Michigan's Rumored $10.5M NIL Deal in IG Photo

Scott Polacek

It seems Bryce Underwood won't be tempted by a massive NIL offer from Michigan.

On3 reported Thursday that the Wolverines are "prepared" to offer the elite quarterback recruit a four-year, $10.5 million name, image and likeness deal in hopes of flipping his current commitment to LSU.

Underwood posted an Instagram story seemingly confirming he will decline the offer:

Underwood would be quite the prize, as he is the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.

He is also from the state of Michigan, so the Wolverines might have been also trying to play up the stay-at-home angle. Still, it appears they believe money will talk in this instance and are reportedly gearing up to take that approach.

It's been quite a fall from Michigan, which has gone from national champions to a program under NCAA investigation that is battling for bowl eligibility at 5-5 in less than a year.

Earlier this month, Richard Johnson of CBS Sports reported there was a belief that Michigan would offer Underwood approximately double On3's initial report of a $5 million NIL deal.

Johnson also noted "many recruiting insiders view a flip to Michigan as a forgone conclusion" even though he didn't attend the program's loss to Oregon when it was rumored he might.

The Wolverines have no shortage of talent on their roster with stars like Mason Graham, Will Johnson and Colston Loveland, among others, but this season has made it painfully obvious they need help under center. Alex Orji is nothing more than a gadget runner, Jack Tuttle retired from football because of health concerns, and Davis Warren has five touchdown passes to six interceptions on the campaign.

Even solid quarterback play would have the reigning national champions in better position and could have made the difference in Saturday's 20-15 loss to undefeated Indiana.

If Underwood lives up to expectations, he will provide more than just solid quarterback play. He would raise the program's overall ceiling as a superstar recruit who could quickly put the Wolverines back into Big Ten contention alongside Oregon, Ohio State and Penn State in the coming seasons.

But first they have to land him on the recruiting trail, and it may take quite the NIL offer to do so.

   

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