In a pretty stunning move for college football, the Michigan Wolverines have landed a historic NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deal with Bryce Underwood. Underwood is a former five-star quarterback who flipped his commitment from LSU.
This deal isn’t just a win for Michigan—it’s shaking up the whole college sports scene. Underwood’s annual NIL projection sits at $3 million, which is wild for a freshman who hasn’t even played a snap yet.
Bryce Underwood, the top recruit in the 2025 cycle, had originally committed to LSU. The switch to Michigan surprised a lot of people and was fueled by some intense NIL negotiations.
According to Heavy.com, Underwood’s NIL value is projected at $3 million a year. That puts him among the highest-paid college quarterbacks for 2025.
Getting Underwood to Michigan wasn’t something that happened overnight. The process took time, patience, and plenty of behind-the-scenes belief that Underwood truly wanted to wear maize and blue.
There were rumors about last-minute donor heroics, but the reality is way messier. Champions Circle, a collective co-founded by former Michigan fullback Jared Wangler, played a huge role in making it happen.
Underwood’s deal is set for $3 million this season as part of a four-year agreement. If the On3 projections hold up, he could walk away with over $10 million by the end of his Michigan run—maybe even close to $12 million.
This isn’t just about a single wealthy booster dropping off a check, either. The deal is a coordinated push to fundraise and negotiate contracts for players’ NIL rights.
There’s been talk that Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison was involved in securing Underwood’s deal. But the truth is more complicated than just one billionaire stepping in.
Champions Circle collects funds and negotiates with players for their NIL rights. Players agree to do things like autograph sessions, donor events, and social media posts in exchange.
After that, the collective can make deals with outside companies who want to use those rights, which helps them recover their investment. It’s a bit of a new world for college sports.
Underwood’s deal is already causing a stir in college football. Heavy.com points out that he’s ranked No. 2 in On3’s list of highest-paid college quarterbacks for 2025, just behind Duke’s Darian Mensah.
This kind of agreement is bound to influence how other schools approach NIL in the years ahead.
Underwood says the money wasn’t the only factor in his decision to flip from LSU to Michigan. Growing up a Michigan fan clearly mattered a lot to him.
On *The Rich Eisen Show*, he talked about admiring both programs, but he admitted Michigan was always the dream. Hard to argue with that kind of loyalty.
Underwood’s NIL reach goes beyond just Michigan. He’s already signed on with brands like Celsius, Beats by Dre, and Hollister.
That’s a pretty good sign of his marketability—and shows just how much NIL is changing the game for college athletes.
Looking ahead, Underwood is set to start for the Wolverines as a true freshman in 2025. Expectations are sky-high.
His play will definitely affect his NIL value and what he can earn down the line. If he sticks around for all four years, he could rake in more than $12 million. Not bad for a kid who hasn’t thrown a college pass yet.
Conclusion
Bryce Underwood’s NIL deal with Michigan is turning heads in college football.
Players can finally cash in on their name, image, and likeness. It’s about time, right?
This agreement might just raise the bar for future deals.
You can’t ignore how much these partnerships and collective efforts matter when it comes to landing top talent.
When Underwood steps onto the field for the Wolverines, the pressure’s on.
Will he live up to all the buzz and prove the deal was worth it? Guess we’ll see.
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