Here’s the latest on Michigan recruiting QB Bryce Underwood from Belleville

Allen Trieu
| Special to The Detroit News

Belleville quarterback Bryce Underwood committed to LSU in January. Underwood, a consensus five-star recruit and the No. 1 quarterback. 1 in the country had essentially a choice of any school in the country.

His relationship with LSU offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan, head coach Brian Kelly’s track record of success with quarterbacks — Jayden Daniels most recently with the Heisman Trophy and early NFL success with the Washington Commanders — and an opportunity to compete as a real one. freshman considered his choice.

However, University of Michigan insiders would say the Wolverines never really left.

Reports have surfaced recently that Michigan is pursuing Underwood with an intensity that signals it considers him a must-have to a degree that few recruits in Michigan history can claim.

On the outside, it has been theorized that Michigan’s struggles with the ball this season have led to renewed interest in Underwood. Those in the know dismiss that, saying Michigan continued to recruit Underwood as best it could in the offseason.

Wherever that truth lies, it’s not debatable that they’re making a very strong push for him now, a little more than a month before the Early Signing Period (Dec. 4-6).

LSU is aware. Sloan is coming to Underwood’s playoff game Friday night. It’s common practice for a team on its bye week to go see its top recruits and key recruits, but LSU officials confirmed their staff is aware of Michigan’s push. Underwood is scheduled to return to Baton Rouge next weekend (Nov. 9) for an official visit.

That’s where the situation is.

From there, everything else — including exact NIL numbers from either school — is speculative.

With Belleville entering the playoffs and looking to win a state title after losing in the championship game at Ford Field a year ago, Underwood’s main focus is leaving the school as a three-time champion. It is very unlikely that during this time there will be any record of recruitment.

So the public, especially Michigan watchers who tune in every hour hoping for an update, may have to be patient.

Florida quarterback recruit Carter Smith decommitted this week, leading to more speculation that Underwood was a done deal to return to Michigan. Michigan’s staff has started chasing other quarterbacks around the country, which means they’re not okay with that. The last time Michigan drafted a quarterback of this caliber in-state was Drew Henson in 1998. The draft was barely covered on the internet at the time and the NIL certainly didn’t exist, so the two situations bear little resemblance other than position of the recruit.

Underwood could stick with his LSU commitment, but Michigan has done everything from put together a NIL package that — regardless of whether the reported numbers are accurate — is worthy of a player of his talent and significance. The Wolverines need a quarterback, they need a face in the next era of Michigan football under Sherrone Moore, and they need that player on the field next season. Underwood can provide all of that in a way no other recruit can, and Michigan is pursuing him as such.

A similar situation played out in last year’s class, where Nebraska was able to land five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola. Needing that leader and star for Matt Rhule’s tenure, Raiola has stepped in as an immediate starter for the Huskers this season. He was Nebraska’s top recruit of the Internet age. A similar argument could be made for Underwood and Michigan.

If he’s a Tiger next year, it won’t be for lack of resources or effort on Michigan’s part.

For four years, Underwood has been outstanding when the ball is in his hands. Now, the books are in his hands, and college football fans across the country are on the edge of their seats, waiting to hear what he will do with them.

Allen Trieu covers Midwest football recruiting for 247Sports. He was featured on the Big Ten Network during its annual Signing Day broadcast. His Michigan and Michigan State recruiting columns appear weekly on detroitnews.com.