Michigan Insider Confirms Real Culprit Behind Bryce Underwood Departure Rumors as Dave Portnoy Makes Big Admission

When it comes to rivalries in college football, nothing beats that between OSU and Michigan. While the Wolverines stare at a muddled future, more negative theories around a Bryce Underwood-sans-Michigan started doing the rounds. They’re already dealing with Sherrone Moore’s temporary suspension, and the NCAA will announce its final word on the sign-stealing scandal soon. To that, if you add the thought of Bryce Underwood packing up and bidding goodbye to Ann Arbor, it makes things so much more problematic for Michigan. Turns out, the rivalry is a reason behind this rumor.

There’s an unsettling atmosphere at Michigan at the moment. The program is fearing more penalties coming from the NCAA, which could affect its 2025 season. Amidst all of the chaos, a rumor of Underwood going back to LSU surfaced, stirring the pot even more. After all, he did make headlines after flipping his commitment from the Tigers to Michigan, that too with a $12 million package in play. Underwood has since completed spring practice at Ann Arbor and is now in the midst of the offseason one. Though the rumor seems logical and feasible, it was still unlikely for the QB to pull it off in reality.

Now, it is clear who might be the culprits behind the rumor. Michigan Sports Talk revealed in a video that “it obviously has come from Ohio State fans.” The rumor suspected that Underwood was leaving Michigan because the program wasn’t going to be able to pay him his due. “[They] think Michigan has failed with the NIL deal with Bryce Underwood and he is now exploring other options like LSU.” But all of that was just plain rumors. Underwood himself shut them down, writing on X, “lol, yall say anything on social media.”

Michigan football signee Bryce Underwood looks on during national signing day at Belleville High School in Belleville on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.

Michigan went all out to get Bryce Underwood over at Ann Arbor. They even risked associating themselves with Connor Stalions, who nudged the QB toward Michigan as well. If Michigan is paying Underwood 12 million and acknowledged it publicly, they are still better off than most programs financially. Moreover, that deal stipulates that the QB will be at Michigan for some time, because of which his salary is in seven figures. He still has to beat out his competitors to get the QB1 position. But there will come a day when Underwood is named a starter for Michigan. Will he be the solution to Michigan’s long list of problems?

Despite that paycheck, Michigan’s Champion Collective still doesn’t make it into the top 10 richest NIL funds in CFB. “Michigan spent what, 12 million on just one quarterback, and they can’t crack into the top 10? That’s why I’m not buying any of this,” said David Cone of the Crain and Company podcast A lot went into flipping the No. 1 recruit of the 2025 class, revealed Barstool Sports’ founder, Dave Portnoy.

Dave Portnoy reveals the key ingredient behind Bryce Underwood’s flip

“I’m getting tons of credit online for flipping Bryce,” Portnoy said last year. “While I love credit, reality is I played a tiny (role).” The Michigan alum is linked to the Champions Collective, which ultimately ran the show in this highly-publicized drama. Portnoy revealed on the Club Shay Shay podcast, that he pledged the program about getting an elite quarterback in 2025. “I will buy us a quarterback. I’ll do $3 million. I’ll find us a quarterback. We’re never gonna have no quarterback again.’”

And heeding Dave Portnoy’s ardent wish was a tech mogul and his wife. Jolin Zhu is a former Michigan alum, too, and feels passionate about the school’s athletics. Her husband, however, is Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, worth a whopping $230 billion. “Two days later, we’re on a phone call with Larry Ellison, myself, Michigan, and the Underwoods. It’s like out of a movie, and we’re pitching this kid.” Naturally, with someone like Ellison backing this recruitment campaign, there was no hope for LSU. Also, because Underwood was such a top-rated prospect, it made sense for someone of Ellison’s stature to support the QB.

“I didn’t kick in anything. I’m getting credit for it. Larry Ellison, they bought the quarterback,” Portnoy added. And that quarterback is going to stay at Ann Arbor for good, too. OSU fans made use of an opportunity to conspire in another negative campaign. Bryce Underwood, on the other hand, is still confident in his current home.

The post Michigan Insider Confirms Real Culprit Behind Bryce Underwood Departure Rumors as Dave Portnoy Makes Big Admission appeared first on EssentiallySports.