RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The Michigan Wolverines won the bidding war in 2025, landing the top recruit for the 2025 class, Bryce Underwood.
Some college football coaches think the Wolverines made a mistake with the young quarterback.
Underwood signed an NIL deal for approximately $10 million that pays him nearly $3 million per season at Michigan.
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The results for Michigan in 2025 didn't appear to be worth the cost, as the freshmen from Detroit, Michigan, threw for 2,428 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He completed 60.3% of his passes. He added 392 yards and six touchdowns on 88 carries for the 9-4 Wolverines.
A coach who will go against Underwood had harsh words for ESPN's Adam Rittenberg about Underwood and new Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham. They criticized Whittingham for his staff's ability to develop quarterback talent. He thinks Underwood hasn't backed up his NIL deal.
"He's a good head coach, but in 21 years, they haven't had a quarterback drafted," the coach said. "Just because you pay somebody money doesn't make them good. There's going to be a little reality check on that."
A Big Ten defensive coordinator told Rittenberg that Underwood faces extra pressure because of his salary.
"The only reason there's mixed reviews, and that they're not talking about him still being young, is because of the expectations coming out of recruiting," the coach said. "We've really put a bull's-eye on a lot of these kids because of the exorbitant amount that they're paying them."
Underwood was humbled in Michigan's 27-9 loss to Ohio State last season, completing eight of his 18 passes for 63 yards and one interception. He added one rushing yard on six attempts. Against Texas in the Citrus Bowl, he threw for 199 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.
While it's fair to say Underwood underperformed in his freshman season, he could develop into a dangerous quarterback in his sophomore season. He could thrive in Whittingham's system.
However, Underwood's case should serve as a warning for programs not to overpay freshmen because of their hype out of high school. Some players ultimately fail to make the jump at the college level, and some of that money could have gone to fund a safer part of the roster.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
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