Sherrone Moore isn’t playing catch-up—he’s reloading with precision. After a turbulent 2024 campaign that saw Michigan Wolverines limp to an 8-5 finish and stumble through a 5-4 Big Ten record, the Wolverines are pushing all their chips back onto the table. The engine of that revival? A retooled quarterback room headlined by Bryce Underwood, the crown jewel of the 2025 class, and Mikey Keene, a proven signal-caller with experience under center. That combination alone signals a massive leap from the chaos of last season, where Michigan struggled to find consistency at the most important position in the sport.

But there’s more to the Bryce Underwood flip than five-star hype. Much more. As Adam Breneman revealed, it took a trio of power players to pull off one of the boldest recruiting coups in recent memory. “Larry Ellison is worth over 200 billion dollars. His wife is a Michigan alum. Both were thanked publicly by Michigan’s NIL collective when the announcement came through that the number one recruit in the country, Bryce Underwood, flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan.” That level of financial backing doesn’t just win headlines—it wins wars. Behind the scenes, Underwood was reportedly hopping on Zoom calls with none other than Tom Brady throughout the season. Yes, GOAT Tom Brady himself. When Michigan moves, it moves with muscle—and this time, it flipped the tide of CFB’s power balance.

Still, Sherrone Moore knows raw talent doesn’t always equate to day-one success. The blueprint might be ambitious, but it’s built with clarity. “Now let’s talk about Bryce Underwood starting at Michigan. Quarterback room has been a mess. That’s putting it lightly,” Breneman said. “I don’t think anyone currently on the Michigan roster could seriously compete with Bryce Underwood all the way through spring ball and fall camp.”

That’s why the Wolverines are reportedly not done. They’re still in the market for a transfer QB—not to replace Underwood, but to protect him. “Michigan reportedly still wants to bring in a transfer quarterback to give Bryce Underwood some time to develop and bridge the gap. And I love this plan,” Breneman added. It’s the perfect insurance policy—one that could even include the ultimate plot twist: “Michigan could pluck Devin Brown from Ohio State.” If that move happens, it might go down as the most delicious heel turn in rivalry history

In the meantime, UM isn’t resting on its five-star laurels. The 2025 recruiting class looks like the early draft of a CFP roster. Underwood was the lightning rod, but Sherrone Moore and his staff also landed five-star offensive lineman Andrew Babalola, four-star cornerback Shamar Earls, and four-star safety Jordan Young—plus a wave of depth players who’ll fill out a competitive, physical two-deep. This is the kind of class that builds trenches and locks down the perimeter. It’s not just about headline talent; it’s about positional sustainability, year after year.

And Michigan isn’t slowing down. While the 2025 class is already being talked about in elite circles, there’s growing buzz around the 2026 cycle too. Reports suggest that Michigan is out front in pursuit of another highly intriguing quarterback prospect—this time from the fertile recruiting ground of Ohio. Moore’s staff, armed with momentum and deeper NIL pockets than ever before, is treating recruiting like chess, not checkers. They’re not reacting to the board—they’re dictating the game.

So here we are, just months removed from a disappointing season, and Michigan has already flipped its script. Underwood’s presence alone shifts expectations.

Big QB Energy: Michigan Leads for 6-5 Ohio Signal-Caller

Sherrone Moore and the Michigan football staff aren’t just focused on the present — they’re playing the long game too. And when it comes to the 2026 recruiting class, they already lining up in the crosshairs.

Enter Nathan Bernhard, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound three-star QB out of Ohio who’s starting to turn heads. According to 247Sports, he’s ranked as the No. 24 quarterback in the country — On3 slots him at No. 31. Either way, he’s an intriguing talent with that classic Michigan QB frame. And here’s the kicker: it sounds like Michigan is leading the pack.

Bernhard himself is already seeing a potential fit in Ann Arbor. “Obviously, if you look at the lineage of quarterbacks that have gone through there,” Bernhard told On3, “There are a lot of similarities to me and my play style.”

With his size, arm talent, and a football IQ that’s still developing, Bernhard fits the mold of a pro-style passer that Michigan has historically loved. If the Wolverines can lock this one down, they might just be planting the seeds for another future star in the Big House.