The Michigan Wolverines secured top recruit Bryce Underwood for the 2025 class, winning a competitive bidding war. Underwood, a promising quarterback, signed a substantial Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal valued at about $10 million. This agreement promises nearly $3 million per season during his tenure at Michigan.
However, some college football coaches believe the Wolverines may have misjudged their investment. Underwood’s performance in 2025 appeared lacking compared to the expectations set by his lucrative deal. The freshman from Detroit recorded 2,428 passing yards, threw 11 touchdowns, and had nine interceptions. His completion rate stood at 60.3%. Additionally, Underwood rushed for 392 yards and six touchdowns on 88 attempts, contributing to Michigan’s 9-4 season.
A coach scheduled to face Underwood expressed criticism to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, targeting both Underwood and Michigan’s new head coach, Kyle Whittingham. The coach remarked on Whittingham’s track record with quarterbacks, noting an absence of quarterback draftees in 21 years. “Just because you pay somebody money doesn’t make them good,” the coach commented. “There’s going to be a little reality check on that.”
He’s a good head coach, but in 21 years, they haven’t had a quarterback drafted.
A Big Ten defensive coordinator shared with Rittenberg that Underwood faces heightened pressure due to his salary. The coordinator suggested that high financial expectations overshadow evaluations of his youth and potential for growth.
Underwood struggled in a pivotal game against Ohio State, with the Wolverines losing 27-9. He completed only eight of 18 passes for 63 yards, recording an interception. He gained a mere one rushing yard on six attempts. In the Citrus Bowl against Texas, Underwood amassed 199 passing yards, two touchdowns, but also had three interceptions.
While Underwood’s freshman year did not meet aspirations, there’s potential for him to excel in his sophomore season, particularly within Whittingham’s system. His journey serves as a reminder to collegiate programs about the risks associated with large financial commitments to young players straight from high school. Allocating funds elsewhere on the roster could prove more beneficial in some cases.