The bigger they are, the harder they fall. From being natty a year ago to now drifting deep into mediocrity—a storied program such as the Michigan Wolverines (5-4) can’t afford blips like this. The recruitment landscape for 2025 has admittedly been at the forefront of the fans amidst a season doomed from early October, if not prior. An adequate successor of J.J. McCarthy is the priority and the Big House yearns for the biggest fish in the pond, Bryce Underwood. Here’s the latest wrinkle in the long saga.

Wolverines fans do not need an introduction on Underwood at this point. The school has relentlessly chased the No. 1 QB recruit despite his LSU commitment. Bryce and his family continue to weigh their options and visit prospective programs on Saturdays.

The parents were reported to have been in Ann Arbor this weekend ahead of the game against Oregon. However, Michigan insider James Yoder has reason to believe they weren’t alone. According to Yoder, Bryce accompanied them on the visit.

In a video posted on his YouTube channel, he said “I got contacted from someone in Bryce Underwood’s inner circle. Let’s just call it that, to protect the innocent here. They told me in no uncertain terms because I tweeted out on Monday. ‘[Sam] Webb is lying, Underwood was definitely at the stadium, was definitely at the game et cetera’. He said ‘Do me a favor and lay off the ‘Bryce was at the Big House’ stuff, just play it cool if you catch my draft’. I’ll let you guys interpret that.”

His presence was not publicized for reasons yet unknown. In fact, “Michigan Insider” host Sam Webb went out of his way to refute murmurs about Bryce’s visit. “While there were several social media posts claiming he was among the recruiting visitors at the Big House Saturday, [Underwood] was not at the Big House Saturday. His parents were present. However, and some of the committed player parents spent ample time with their recruiting hats on, courting them,” said Webb. This contradiction stirred Yoder into calling Webb a liar.

Pictures taken at the game would suggest Bryce was, in fact, present. Webb was likely aware of this and was perhaps given the remit from the powers that be to cool the situation. Seems like Michigan wants to play this one close to the chest. Yoder spilling the beans could be viewed as a hindrance. They still face an uphill battle to land their man, as would become more apparent after this upcoming weekend of CFB.

“Game of the Weekend” will have implications for Bryce Underwood’s landing spot

Bryce Underwood is lined up to visit Tiger Stadium this Saturday. LSU (6-2) takes on Alabama (6-2) in a virtual elimination game from the playoff race. Michigan fans will have one eye on the proceedings, and a result in favor of Bama could shift the dynamic for Bryce in their direction. Tigers OC Joe Sloan is the primary piece in the puzzle.

Sloan was the coach who recruited Bryce to LSU and made him commit in the first place. Now, Sloan finds himself as the No.1 contender for the recently opened East Carolina U Head Coach job. Sloan is an ECU alum himself and has reportedly been courted to helm the program. Sloan trading the Tigers for the Pirates would potentially deter Bryce Underwood’s commitment. 

Signing Day for the 2025 class is Dec 4th. If LSU loses to Bama and fails to make the playoffs, the writing may already be on the wall for Sloan’s exit by then. Michigan fans would for once be hoping the tide can do them a solid.

Watch out for the game of the weekend as these underlying facets simmer below the larger CFP picture.