Michigan pulled out all the stops to secure star quarterback Bryce Underwood, convincing him to change his college commitment.
Dave Portnoy, frustrated with the Wolverines’ struggles this season due to poor quarterback performance, mentioned on his podcast that he was willing to invest millions in NIL deals to help his alma mater recruit top-tier QBs.
That statement caught the attention of someone at the university, sparking the initiative to make it happen.
Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports and a University of Michigan alumnus, expressed his frustration over the Wolverines’ quarterback struggles during a segment on Barstool’s college football show. He declared his intention to personally invest $2 to $3 million in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals to secure top-tier quarterbacks for Michigan, aiming to prevent future performance issues. This commitment initiated efforts that led to the successful recruitment of Bryce Underwood, a highly sought-after quarterback who flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan. Portnoy referred to this pivotal moment as the “Renaissance of Michigan,” highlighting the significant impact of strategic NIL investments on the program’s resurgence.
After Dave Portnoy’s public commitment to invest millions in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals to attract top quarterbacks to Michigan, the university’s football program reached out to him. They introduced him to Jolin Ellison, a dedicated Michigan supporter and wife of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, whose net worth is approximately $240 billion. Recognizing the potential impact of collaborating with such influential donors, Portnoy engaged in discussions with the Ellisons. This partnership played a significant role in securing a substantial NIL package, reportedly up to $12 million over four years, which was instrumental in flipping top quarterback recruit Bryce Underwood’s commitment from LSU to Michigan.
Dave Portnoy recounted the pivotal call that brought him into partnership with Jolin Ellison, wife of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and an ardent Michigan supporter.
“When I heard Larry Ellison’s name, I thought, ‘You mean the No. 2 richest man on the planet? Yeah, I’ll take that call,'” Portnoy said.
The conversation quickly turned to their shared goal: convincing top recruit Bryce Underwood, a standout at Belleville High School in Michigan, to stay in-state and play for the Wolverines.
“Jolin told me, ‘I can’t stomach waking up on Saturdays knowing we’re not the best team on the field. I needed someone from Michigan to step up and show they cared as much as I did,'” Portnoy recalled.
The collaboration, which he likened to the “mega-powers uniting,” marked a turning point in Michigan’s recruiting efforts. Portnoy, a Michigan graduate from the class of 1999—the same year as Tom Brady—proved to be the perfect ally for this ambitious endeavor.
Tom Brady also played a significant part in securing Bryce Underwood’s commitment to Michigan, reportedly FaceTiming the star recruit recently, as noted by CBS Sports.
Underwood’s decision to flip from LSU to Michigan had been in motion since October, culminating on November 21 when he announced his commitment via an Instagram video.
LSU had reportedly offered Underwood $1.5 million annually in NIL deals, while Michigan’s offer was rumored to be $10 million over four years ($2.5 million per year), with some estimates now reaching $12 million.
At 6-foot-3, Underwood is regarded as a top-tier prospect and a major win for Michigan, particularly as he hails from Belleville, Michigan.
Meanwhile, LSU head coach Brian Kelly attempted to shift focus back to his current team, now 7-4 and out of the College Football Playoff race. “Recruiting doesn’t mean a whole heck of a lot when you’re talking about your football team in the present,” Kelly said after LSU’s victory over Vanderbilt. “Yeah, you’re disappointed… but it didn’t affect the core of what we wanted to accomplish.”