The most recent QB no. 1 in America, LSU Commit Bryce Underwood

Belleville (Mich.) five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood remains a hot topic on the college football recruiting scene as the Early Signing Period approaches.

The No. 1 signal-caller in America revealed a commitment to Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers on Jan. 6, the verbal commitment sent shock waves across the country.

Now, we’re in a crunch as programs look to flip targets from their current schools, with Underwood’s name stealing headlines.

Rumors remain that the Michigan Wolverines have stepped up their NIL push for Underwood’s services as they continue a late push with just over 30 days until December’s early signing period.

What’s the latest on Underwood and his recruitment?

LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan will board a flight this weekend to check in with Underwood and his family for the five-star playoff game on Friday, a source told LSU Tigers On SI. On3 Sports’ Shea Dixon first reported the in-person taping.

Sloan, who took the lead in Underwood’s recruitment, will once again get face time with the best quarterback in America as outside talk continues to grow.

It will be the first of two visits Underwood will have with Sloan and the LSU staff, with the No. 1 signal caller set to head to Baton Rouge next weekend for the LSU vs. Alabama.

Contact between Underwood’s camp and LSU hasn’t wavered, and despite the outside buzz, there was now an official visit date locked in place.

Underwood will arrive in Baton Rouge next weekend for an official visit, where he will get a look at LSU versus Alabama on Nov. 9, a source confirmed. On3 Sports’ Shea Dixon first reported the news.

America’s No. 1 player will make a return trip to Louisiana, where he’ll soak in the scenes of Death Valley, talk things over with the coaching staff and more.

It’s important to note that Underwood has not visited any other programs since verbally committing to LSU in January. He has visited Baton Rouge several times, but has not made an official or unofficial trip anywhere else.

Now, despite Michigan continuing to make a push at the buzzer for Underwood, he’s stuck on a return trip to the Bayou State for a multi-day stay on LSU’s campus.

Underwood will be accompanied by both his parents and other family members for the trip, with the Tigers preparing to roll out the red carpet during the three-day trip.

The “generational talent” has been involved with the LSU Tigers since the beginning of his recruitment, with offensive coordinator and running backs coach Joe Sloan running at the moment.

Now, as we approach the crunch until prospects can put pen to paper in December’s early signing period, the Michigan Wolverine buzz has become a hot topic.

Underwood, a Michigan native, was heavily recruited by the Wolverines during his recruiting process the past three years.

A Michigan native, the Wolverines will always be a threat, but Underwood has yet to visit Ann Arbor for an official or unofficial visit.

It was clear by Underwood’s actions that the five-star signal-caller is stuck with the Tigers, but it didn’t stop Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore from reaching out to the quarterback to maintain communication.

On3 Sports Recruiting Expert Steve Wiltfong chimes in:

“As head coach Sherrone Moore and Michigan make their big push into the Early Signing Period, they are currently part of On3’s 12th-ranked recruiting class. A prospect they continued to dialogue with is prospect no. 1 of On3 from Bryce Underwood. Committed to LSU, is recruiting to monitor progress. I think the dialogue with the Wolverines is real. We’ll see how things develop there others before the pens hit the papers.”

Moore and Co. remain in contact with Underwood and his camp, but LSU was aware of the communication. It didn’t surprise the program, despite the fact that the national titles stole the limelight.

The Wolverines reportedly created a NIL package starting at $5 million, but then again, LSU knew the NIL effort required to land the No. 1 prospect in America.

Underwood has been labeled a “program-changing” prospect with the LSU Tigers keeping their foot on the gas for his services.

On Wednesday, Michigan’s lone quarterback commitment in the 2025 cycle backed off, leaving the Wolverines without a signal caller in the current class.

Expect the buzz to grow around Underwood, but LSU remains in a solid position as they prepare for their time with the top prospect both this weekend and next.

Sloan has taken this recruiting and run with it over the past year, and as the clock continues to wind down, he’s stepping up his efforts even more.

A player coach, Sloan has become a key piece to Baton Rouge’s recruiting success, and Underwood is another product of that.

Now, as the clock begins to tick down on the Early Signing Period, all signs point to Underwood putting pen to paper with the Tigers.

Underwood’s camp and LSU had no communication problems. He has remained in constant contact with the Bayou Bengals during his process as he begins preparing for back-to-back weekends with the coaching staff.

The No. 1 quarterback has visited Baton Rouge several times unofficially, but with one official visit remaining, Underwood will return to the Bayou State one more time before December as they prepare for the official.

It will be a major talking point over the next few weeks, but LSU remains in the driver’s seat for Underwood as the clock ticks down until he puts pen to paper.

No. 16 LSU will take on the Alabama Crimson Tide on Nov. 9 in a pivotal SEC showdown between a pair of programs looking to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive.

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and the LSU Tigers on SI: @LSUTigersSI for all coverage surrounding the LSU program.