Penn State Big Ten rival failing to flip No. 1 quarterback recruit despite massive NIL offer

In their national title defense season, the Michigan Wolverines have fallen flat. First-year head coach Sherrone Moore didn’t have time to address his quarterback room in the transfer portal after Jim Harbaugh and last year’s starter JJ McCarthy left for the NFL, and behind former walk-on Davis Warren, the Wolverines are an underwhelming 5-5 and are 3-4 in the Big Ten. 

Unfortunately for James Franklin, who could use a win against a typical Big Ten powerhouse, the Nittany Lions avoided Michigan on the schedule this season with the conference abolishing divisions after expanding to 18 teams with the additions of UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington. 

Much like how Ohio State’s three-year losing streak against Michigan prompted absurd NIL spending in Columbus this offseason to construct one of the most talented rosters in college football, Michigan is desperate to fix its QB problem, and reportedly willing to throw big money at it. 

Michigan reportedly offered Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 quarterback, and top overall recruit in the 2025 high school class a $10.5 million NIL package, but on Thursday night Underwood, a Michigan native, and LSU commit posted a graphic to his Instagram seemingly shutting down the speculation that he would flip to his hometown team. 

Though listed at 6-foot-4 and just 205 pounds, Underwood has been compared to Cam Newton by some evaluators in the industry and Vince Young by others. He is the consensus No. 1 player in the class, so it’s great news for Penn State and the rest of the Big Ten that he’s likely remaining loyal to the Bayou Bengals and Brian Kelly. 

Michigan’s quarterback play in 2024 has been embarrassing, but failing to land an in-state QB with rumors swirling about an eight-figure NIL offer, might be even worse. Moore will likely have to turn to the transfer portal to upgrade at QB until he can land a long-term solution from the high school ranks.