Michigan made noise on the recruiting trail and landed 2025 No. 1 overall prospect and No. 1 quarterback Bryce Underwood. While Underwood may be a culture fit and schematic fit for what Michigan wants to be as an offense, there’s no doubt that a lucrative NIL (name, image, likeness) deal helped Michigan earn Underwood’s commitment.
Major catalysts in the NIL package for Underwood were Larry Ellison, the third-richest person in the world, and his wife Jolin as well as Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. While any and all contributions are welcomed via NIL, the current landscape of college football resembles a nuclear arms race where more never seems to be enough.