Well, head coach Brian Kelly is still receiving hate for five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood’s decommitment. “Fire Kelly” is trending all over social media. Underwood’s decision to join the defending champions has left the college football recruiting world buzzing. But why did he really flip? There are many factors that are involved in his decision, but the NIL deal of $12 million is the center of his recent recruitment shift. Today, let’s get to know the truth behind the myth of Michigan’s eye-popping offer.

On November 22, the host of The Next Round, Jim Dunaway, shared a story from the past and highlighted that Bryce Underwood’s dad wanted him to join Michigan. Yes! While everyone is thinking that money is the biggest reason for ditching Kelly and the Tigers, the insider has something new to share: “This kid’s from Michigan; he was coming to play LSU. I’m not going to say that he’s, you know, money’s not a factor no matter where you go. I’m not saying, I mean obviously money’s a factor for him to go to Michigan too, but if you watch his commitment video last night and I did, and I’m the emotional one, I teared up a little bit. They got little Bryce Underwood when he was a kid, yeah, like just a little bigger; he’s probably like five, six, or seven years old, and they got him a fake microphone, and the dad’s doing an interview, and he says, I’m going to take my talents to Michigan.”

Does that mean his dad influenced his decision? See, Bryce Underwood did not make an overnight decision. He and his family made several visits to LSU and developed a good relationship with Kelly and the team. But at the end of the day, joining a new team can make or break your career. 

Moving ahead, Dunaway shed light on his $12 million NIL deal and Underwood’s dream to play for Michigan. “You know different times showing up, you know he’s got a Michigan; you know, like we wear, he’s got the Hutch Michigan helmet on. It was his dream when he was a little kid to play for Michigan. Now I know there’s 12 million, 10 million, and $8 million, which is why he’s flipping from LSU to Michigan, but now you get the money, and you get your childhood dream, which is a pretty good situation for Bryce.”

Of course, money is a factor, but one should follow the heart and wear the colors they take immense pride in. That’s what Bryce Underwood did. Is money really a factor in his decision? According to ESPN Radio’s Matt Moscona, Michigan’s deal is for your 4 years. Yes! Of course, it’s a life-changing deal for Underwood, but we can’t ignore that it is for four continuous years, and it all comes with great responsibilities. His decision has shocked everyone because many believed that he might not flip. Let’s see how his high school coach reacted to his decision.

‘I was shocked’: Bryce Underwood’s high school coach

“I really thought he was going to stay at LSU. I was shocked at the flip,” Bryce Underwood’s high school coach at Belleville, Calvin Norman, said. Underwood’s flip is not one of the biggest flips in the 2025 recruiting cycle but also one of the biggest in the past few years. When was really the last time a player recruiting a journey was so popular? He is the nation’s No. 1 quarterback for the 2025 class who has been committed to LSU since January, and all of a sudden, Michigan joins the race and goes all in to strengthen their team and successfully cracks the deal; it is huge.

Further, Norman cleared the air and added, “I think that’s where he always wanted to go.” Indeed. Who can know it better than his high school coach? “By them going to Michigan, it’s legit,” Norman added. “I would say legit because the dad is a down-to-earth type of guy. He’s going to make sure you’re a man of your word.”

Belleville has played a huge role in developing Undewood’s football career; he has shown impressive growth, thrown for more than 5,500 yards and scored more than 70 touchdowns. All of you know that Michigan struggled throughout this season, and one of the biggest challenges they faced was at the quarterback position. It will be interesting to see the changes Bryce Underwood brings to their offensive line.