Was there ever any doubt about Michigan’s approach to high school recruiting under head coach Sherrone Moore? Don’t think so. And nothing signals long-term dominance quite like landing the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect. Baton Rouge’s heartbreaker Bryce Underwood, the five-star quarterback from Belleville, Michigan. “The legacy that comes with it, and also the resources and great education that I will have,” Underwood said of why he chose U-M in an interview with Big Ten Network. He had some heavy contacts for this deal.

Underwood’s commitment wasn’t just about football, though that part certainly helped. The Wolverines threw everything they had at him, even getting seven-time Super Bowl champion and U-Mich legend Tom Brady involved in the recruiting process. “I talked to Tom Brady before, so that’s one of the biggest and the main ones that I’ve talked to,” Underwood said. “Just a great experience.” But the biggest bombshell came from On3’s Pete Nakos, who revealed that Underwood was the highest-paid prospect in the 2025 recruiting cycle, sharing the distinction with five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry.

According to reports, the financial package offered to Underwood ranged anywhere from $5 million to a staggering $10.5 million. Thanks in part to “…some heavy hitters, some billionaires [came] in, and show[ed] Bryce Underwood the type of earnings he could have if he stayed home and played quarterback at the University of Michigan.” Another On3 insider, Steve Wiltfong, said in a live coverage on Feb. 3.

That shouldn’t be a surprise, as allegedly, billionaire Larry Ellison played a role in ensuring that Michigan’s top target stayed home. This seismic NIL deal places Underwood in rarefied air before he’s even taken a snap in college, further proving that elite quarterbacks are now operating in the realm of pro-level compensation before ever declaring for the draft.

Michigan’s recruiting success under new head coach Sherrone Moore signals a shift in philosophy. The Wolverines remain not just a pipeline of players to the NFL but coaches, too. But with that success comes a cost, and Michigan has already seen its staff become a pipeline to the NFL. The departures started after their 2023 national title win at the top, with Jim Harbaugh leaving for the Los Angeles Chargers, followed by defensive coordinator Jesse Minter joining him in L.A. Now, another key assistant has followed suit, as linebackers coach Kevin Wilkins is set to leave Ann Arbor to join the Jacksonville Jaguars’ coaching staff.

Wilkins, who worked with Wink Martindale in New York before joining Michigan, was a crucial part of the Wolverines’ defensive coaching unit. His move back to the NFL underscores the challenge Michigan now faces—retaining its top coaching talent while maintaining its recruiting momentum. Sure, billionaires and NFL legends helped lure Underwood to Ann Arbor. However, even they couldn’t seal that NFL coaches leak in the blue and maize’s armor.

Yet, with the coaching staff in flux, Michigan remains in a prime position moving forward.

Bryce Underwood has that $10 million heavy barbell that he needs to lift for reps

Michigan’s quarterback room is stacked heading into 2025, and while there’s still a long road ahead before an official QB1 is named, On3’s J.D. PicKell doesn’t think it’s much of a mystery. Five-star freshman Bryce Underwood is set to battle it out with Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene, incumbent Davis Warren, and redshirt freshman Jadyn Davis. But according to PicKell, this competition might already be over before it even begins.

“I think it’s Bryce Underwood’s job,” PicKell said on The Hard Count. “I would be wildly surprised if he’s not your guy Game 1 heading into 2025.” The analyst said. “What I love about Bryce Underwood in this offense is, they’re going to give him a lot of freedom to make decisions.”

Why the confidence? Underwood brings a level of decision-making and dynamic play that fits perfectly into Michigan’s evolving offense. PicKell highlighted how the Wolverines are expected to give the young QB plenty of freedom—whether it’s making calls in the option game, pulling the trigger on RPOs, or just straight-up slinging it downfield.

While PicKell still expects Michigan to run the football at a high rate under Lindsey, he’d like to see the Wolverines put the ball in Underwood’s hands more often than not. For Michigan fans, it’s a thrilling time. The program is at its peak; the roster is stacked. Year 2 under Moore looks scary, like a Wolverine.