MICHIGAN is starting its 2025 season with a freshman superstar under center.
True freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood has been given the nod as Michigan’s starter this year.
Bryce Underwood has been named as Michigan’s starting quarterback[/caption]
Underwood is a true freshman on a massive $12.5 million NIL deal[/caption]
Underwood, who joined Michigan on a $12.5 million NIL deal, was announced as Michigan’s started by head coach Sherrone Moore on Monday.
“He’s earned the opportunity,” Moore said.
“It was not given to him. He took ownership of the team.”
Michigan is ranked as the No. 14 team in the country to start the season, and will open their season against New Mexico on Saturday.
Underwood’s first big test comes against No. 18 Oklahoma on September 6.
He was initially committed to LSU while playing at Belleville High School, close to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
However, the massive NIL deal that Michigan put together helped flip his commitment.
It was reported that LSU was offering Underwood around $1.5 million per season over four years.
However, Michigan’s deal is reported to reach $12.5 million across four seasons, according to On3.
Billionaire Larry Ellison helped lead the charge in flipping Underwood to Michigan.
At 18 years old, Underwood will be under a tremendous amount of pressure.
However, he was the No. 1 player in the 2025 recruiting class for a reason, and should be capable of stepping up into the starting role.
Underwood is going to have to navigate some controversy throughout his freshman season.
He is stepping into a Michigan program that has been hit hard with sanctions and fines.
College football top 25 rankings
BELOW are the preseason top 25 rankings of college football’s best programs.
- Texas
- Penn State
- Ohio State
- Clemson
- Georgia
- Notre Dame
- Oregon
- Alabama
- LSU
- Miami
- Arizona State
- Illinois
- South Carolina
- Michigan
- Florida
- SMU
- Kansas State
- Oklahoma
- Texas A&M
- Indiana
- Ole Miss
- Iowa State
- Texas Tech
- Tennessee
- Boise State
*Poll released on August 11
The school is facing at least $20 million in penalties and will be without Moore for two games.
Michigan’s head coach is undergoing a self-imposed two-game suspension on September 13 against Central Michigan and September 20 against Nebraska.
Multiple other coaches and staffers received hefty show-cause orders, including Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Michigan faces a few other penalties, but none that should affect Underwood’s season in any way.
