UM Football Recruiting - by WM Wolverine

[lineygoblue]

Bryce Underwood has flipped to Michigan, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Lord help us.

I don't even have a link to it yet. I'll post it when I see one.

UPDATE: Underwood is quoted in this article.

https://www.si.com/college/michigan/recruiting/michigan-football-lands-5-star-qb-bryce-underwood-lsu-tigers?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR25pi8q_V9MehAw2nTnscrKMzO_DsWF5qayYnuaTJSygFRwkqApzMNI-mw_aem_VehLNiQ_8weGRVtFngB31A

[Cody_Russell]

Now go get him some WRs and more players. Snowball this into more good stuff.

The future is unclear. Michigan likely loses 4 or 5 1st/ 2nd RD picks off of this 2024 roster. However, the premium positions (QB, WR, OLine) have an opportunity to drastically improve in the future. From the worst QB production at M that I’ve ever seen to someone that has the upside of Vince Young. Yes, 2024 QBs are officially worse than 2008 IMO. Also yes, you play Underwood right away like Raiola at Nebraska.

Go Blue. This is great news.

Go read this if you want a general overview of the other side of this and LSU fans thoughts:

https://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/lsu-sports/underwood-flips-to-michigan-/116288334/

[Mike]

[AlabamAlum]

Nice. I love both pick-up's. Hopefully, you can poach a few more from LSU.

[lineygoblue]

Maybe this 'rebuild' isn't going to take as long as we thought.

[lineygoblue]

I've seen Underwood play a couple times in person. I can't get away from how much he reminds me of Devin Gardner. On the field, he looks like a man playing among boys. He's big, strong, fast, all the things that Gardner was. Gardner's problem was when he scrambled under pressure. He turned his back to the LOS way too many times, and you can't do that against the top defenders in the country. Underwood is used to getting away from a rush like that, playing against HS kids, but great players like he will face in the B1G will run him down. I do think he is a bit of a better passer than Gardner. He throws a lot like Mahomes, and can move his arm to throw from different angles. So, here we go. OSU has a top QB coming in, and so does Michigan. Just like the days of Woody and Bo.

There's going to be a ton of pressure on Underwood, as he will not likely have any competition at the QB spot. So he will be the starter from the day he signs a LOI. UNLESS Moore brings in a portal guy to back him up.

Maybe this will draw some interest for other areas of need for M. Maybe a couple good OL's wouldn't mind coming in and blocking for Underwood.

[lineygoblue]

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I'm glad to see Hart say this. The Underwood flip is good, and all that, but I really didn't want to lose this commitment as a result. We'll need someone to back up Underwood if he struggles, or gets dinged up. Hart will fit the bill, IMO.

[Mike]

As soon as the team returns from Columbus, it's time to send Campbell packing and bring in a high level OC. Or at least a competent one. Make that vacancy known going into the postseason.

[Cody_Russell]

Brady Hart comes across as a Michigan fan that also happens to be a top QB recruit in 2026. Glad to see that, but we’ll see… if Ohio State can stack all of those highly rated QBs on their roster, why not M?

We’ve been waiting for the money cannon to finally be unleashed at M. Seems like it’s happening… along with some positive things with Dusty May and the basketball program.

I can’t say what Underwood will look like due to being uninformed with never watching him in high school. From a pure recruiting profile, it seems bigger than anyone I’ve ever seen choose M. More hyped than Gary, Peppers, McCarthy, Mallett, and others.

[Jeff Buchanan]

As soon as the team returns from Columbus, it's time to send Campbell packing and bring in a high level OC. Or at least a competent one. Make that vacancy known going into the postseason.

Wait ......how much was Campbell involved in flipping Underwood? Is he a great recruiter and decent QB coach? Is Underwood counting on Campbell to be his QB coach? I have no idea wrt his recruiting chops. McCarthy has said he owes a lot to Campbell for his development as a QB and growth as a man. Based on the material he started with in 2024 he may be better at coaching QBs than he is given credit.

There's no question that his body of work as M's OC is suspect. A key for Moore's future success and retention as M's HC is what he does with doing some house cleaning with his 2024 coaching staff and hiring his 2025 coaching staff. At the very least, Campbell should be out of a job as M's OC.

[lineygoblue]

Well, if Campbell is going to stay, he's going to have to add a lot of pages to his playbook. Underwood's talents opens up a lot of possibilities for him to keep, throw, hand off, or whatever else they want him to do. He can vary his throwing style from throwing over the top, to throwing sidearm like Mahomes does. And he's effective either way. So Campbell is getting quite a gift here, that cannot be squandered.

From all I've heard, Underwood is a Ferrari. You don't drive him like a Yugo.

I am probably wrong about Underwood. Every review I read about him is highly positive. I guess when I saw him he was having an ordinary night. I just don't want another Devin Gardner who was all hype and no pop. I guess we'll see.

[Mike]

Gardner was a Rich Rod recruit and was a better runner than a passer. He probably would have thrived in that offense. Hoke came in and was the exact opposite and Gardner was moved to WR in 2012, then back to QB when Denard got hurt and it was apparent that they didn't have a capable backup. He really got kind of screwed on his college career. Nowadays I bet 90% of guys in his situation would transfer.

[klondike]

Gardner was a Rich Rod recruit and was a better runner than a passer. He probably would have thrived in that offense. Hoke came in and was the exact opposite and Gardner was moved to WR in 2012, then back to QB when Denard got hurt and it was apparent that they didn't have a capable backup. He really got kind of screwed on his college career. Nowadays I bet 90% of guys in his situation would transfer.

I always thought Gardner had a big arm and a long stride but never showed me much as a good runner. Way too tentative and upright. Whatever, UM never could get the most out of a former 5*.

One thing about getting a top qb is a domino effect of getting other top players to play with him. We'll see. Remember how Ohio State getting Pryor totally changed their m.o. on recruiting qb's and wr's.

[Mike]

We already flipped that 4* corner from Pitt who plays with Bryce at Belleville. Looks like that LSU WR commit is coming with him, too. Now if they flip that OT from Bama, they'll really be cooking.

[Cody_Russell]

Was the OLine that Devin Gardner had one of the worst at M in recent memory too? All I can vividly remember is Gardner getting sacked a ton. Though it could be a combination of Gardner holding onto the ball too long, poor coaching, and OLine play.

Point being… Underwood will need some help if M is going to get the most out of him. The 2024 WR core is a total disappointment and awful. OLine play not up to 2021 to 2023 standards. Campbell’s play-calling very questionable and boneheaded at times.

It’s a good point about Campbell’s role in recruiting and what it means to the team. It’s something to think about. I hope there’s changes of some sort.