Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood is facing serious backlash amid his early struggles against Western Michigan given the star signed a historic NIL deal. Despite promises of Underwood’s impressive offseason, the Michigan quarterback underwhelmed against Western Michigan with the exception of the throw that mattered most.
Underwood gave up two costly turnovers as part of a subpar outing against Western Michigan. The good news is that Underwood threw the game-winning Hail Mary after officials added one second on the clock to escape a massive upset.
A replay appears to show time expired but the officials added one second on the clock allowing for one more play. The challenge is Underwood struggled for much of the game.
Underwood completed 12-of-22 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Fans may remember Michigan needing to create a massive NIL offer to poach Underwood away from LSU when the five-star recruit was top quarterback in the 2025 class. On3’s Pete Nakos reported that Underwood is earning $3 million in NIL money as part of a four-year deal.
This would put Underwood in the neighborhood of a $12 million NIL contract. At the time, Underwood is believed to have signed the most lucrative NIL deal in college football history.
“Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood landed one of the most lucrative NIL packages to date for a high school recruit,” On3’s Pete Nakos wrote in an August 25, 2026, story, “Tracking college football’s highest-paid quarterbacks ahead of 2026 season.”
“He’s now set to enter Year 2 of his four-year deal with the Wolverines, which will pay roughly $3 million this season.”
Michigan HC Kyle Whittingham Faces Serious Questions About QB Bryce Underwood Despite Narrow Win
It will be interesting to see how Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham will handle Underwood’s performance. Underwood was initially recruited by former Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore.
“We feel he is markedly better through fall camp than he was at any point in spring,” Whittingham said of Underwood prior to the season, per GBM Wolverine.
“How he’s operated and how he’s gone through his reads, just how he’s got command of the offense, is way further ahead than what you saw in spring.”
Bryce Underwood Initially Committed to LSU Before Flipping to Michigan
Underwood initially committed to LSU during the 2025 recruiting cycle before Michigan made the quarterback an offer too good to pass up. The change of heart even surprised Underwood’s high school coach.
“I really thought he was going to stay at LSU,” Belleville (Mich.) High School coach Calvin Norman told CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd in November 2024.
“I was shocked at the flip.”
Michigan QB Bryce Underwood Signed Historic NIL Deal
Underwood ranks No. 32 among all student-athletes’ NIL earnings, per On3. So, how did Michigan put together such a lucrative deal to land Underwood?
“The real story is more complicated than a donor writing a big check to Underwood,” The Athletic’s Austin Meek wrote in a September 3, 2025, story titled, “How 18-year-old QB Bryce Underwood has already revolutionized Michigan football.” “Champions Circle raises money that it uses to negotiate contracts with players for their NIL rights. The players agree to perform deliverables, such as autograph signings, donor events and social media posts.
“The collective, which is paying for use of the player’s NIL rights, can then strike deals with other companies that want to use those rights, which is a way of recouping the initial investment.”
Bryce Underwood in Hot Water for Historic $12 Million NIL Deal Amid Michigan-WMU