Belleville's Bryce Underwood wants to take Michigan to the next level

Belleville — After all the courting, including a phone call with Tom Brady and the involvement of Michigan’s collective and wealthy donors, the moment came when Bryce Underwood, the nation’s top-rated recruit from Belleville High, sealed his move to the Wolverines from LSU in a simple phone call to head coach Sherrone Moore.

Underwood officially signed with Michigan on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period, and is the program’s highest-ranked commitment since signing defensive tackle Rashan Gary in 2016. Underwood had been committed to LSU since Jan. 6 but changed his decision and I decided on Michigan almost two weeks ago.

“Honestly, school. School is a big deal too,” Underwood said Wednesday when asked why he ultimately chose Michigan. “Education is everything. So I’m taking my home college to the next level and winning some national championships.”

Moore said Wednesday he had a feeling Underwood would commit to Michigan, but that phone call made it official.

“I’m just really excited about this happening and all the hard work we’ve put into communicating and building relationships,” Moore said. “I had a feeling it was going to come to this, but I was really happy that it worked out.”

After joining six of his teammates for a sold-out signing celebration at the high school on Wednesday night, Underwood was asked about Moore’s reaction when he told him he was officially committing to Michigan.

“His dream came true just like mine,” Underwood said with a smile. “That’s basically how it is. And we just identified what our goals were and what our expectations were.”

Michigan’s offense struggled mightily this season, starting three quarterbacks before the Wolverines eventually went back to Davis Warren, the starter in the season opener. On Tuesday, Moore announced the firing of offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell after he played in his first season as a player.

Underwood was asked if he would have any influence on who Michigan’s next coordinator would be, but said he would leave the hiring to Moore.

“It’s a process no matter what,” Underwood said. “And I’m ready to be the best no matter who the coach is.”

This season, Underwood was 113 of 151 for 2,095 yards with 29 touchdowns and three interceptions and he also had 489 rushing yards on 29 carries and three touchdowns. In 2023, he threw for 3,165 yards and had 160 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in addition to his 40 passing touchdowns and two interceptions.

“He’s an excellent player,” Moore said. “Obviously he has great skills, elite skills. Out of the pocket, out of the pocket, deep ball, touch, medium, short. You know, he’s talked to me about different things we want to do with him to expand his game, and that’s what we’re going to do. But he is an exceptional leader and he loves the game. He loves to grind. He loves to get better. The first question he asked me was, “Coach, what time is the door open?” How late can I be in the building? As late as you want, buddy. I’m so excited, very excited to get him here and get to work.”

Underwood and fellow Michigan transfer Elijah Dotson, who transferred from Pitt, said they will graduate from Belleville on Dec. 19 and plan to enroll at Michigan immediately. The Wolverines are 7-5 and will play in a bowl game, and first-time enrollees are allowed to attend bowl practices, so Underwood and Dotson said they will be there. Dotson said he will probably err on the side of caution.

This practice period is a stepping stone for winter conditioning and spring training. Moore was asked whether the multimillion-dollar investment in Underwood warrants him being the Day 1 starter when the season begins next fall.

“We just go to work. That’s all we’re going to do,” Moore said. “He wants to earn everything. He doesn’t want to get anything, so we get to work.”

But does Underwood expect a launch next fall?

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be the best. So if that’s part of it, yes,” he said.

Michigan could sign a veteran quarterback from the NCAA transfer portal, which opens next week. Underwood said he wouldn’t be impressed.

“Competition is competition, no matter who they bring in or who is there,” Underwood said. “No matter what happens, I will still compete.”

There is pressure when your hometown quarterback plays in-state, especially on a big stage like Michigan Stadium. But Underwoods said he prayed to be in a moment like this and it didn’t feel too powerful for him.

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Belleville’s Bryce Underwood wants to take Michigan to the next level

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