LSU gets surprise visit from 5-star QB Bryce Underwood

2025 five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood arrived in Baton Rouge for another LSU unofficial visit early Friday morning, putting a major cherry on top of an already impressive visitor list for the program’s Bayou Splash recruiting event.

Underwood’s surprise trip from Michigan to Louisiana comes during the NCAA’s seven-day “quiet period”, which allows high school recruits to visit college campuses before the NCAA’s “dead period” begins again on Tuesday.

The LSU visit comes on the heels of Underwood and his family visiting Baton Rouge in June, which included a camp performance with staff.

During his June visit, Underwood took part in the Friday Night Lights camp at LSU, and for the first time in program history, the Tigers went into Death Valley to wrap up camp.

Underwood is an On3 5-star+ prospect, meaning he’s carrying a five-star ranking by all four major recruiting services.

Underwood is not just the No. 1 quarterback, but also the No. 1 overall prospect in the country for the 2025 cycle.

LSU, Joe Sloan eyeing the nation’s best in the 2025 class

LSU quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan has kept his list of 2025 quarterback offers to a minimum, and with Underwood set to announce a college decision in January, the Tigers are hosting the five-star quarterback for the third time in the past four months.

Underwood, a Michigan native, has made multiple visits to both Michigan and Michigan State, but it’s been LSU that has risen to the forefront of the push from Southeastern Conference programs.

Many recruiting analysts feel LSU and Michigan are the two teams at the top for Underwood, though he has yet to receive any picks on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) for a program to land his commitment.

What makes Underwood the No. 1 recruit in the country?

Underwood made an immediate impact on the varsity level as a freshman at Belleville (Michigan) High School when he passed for 2,888 yards and 39 touchdowns with only four interceptions. He also added six rushing scores in his freshman season to lead Belleville to a state championship.

He then led Belleville to a perfect 14-0 record and another state title in 2022, passing for 2,762 yards and 37 touchdowns as a sophomore this past fall.

This offseason, Underwood made his debut as the top overall recruit in the initial On3 300 for the 2025 class.

“Underwood has separated as the top quarterback prospect early on due to his considerable physical ability and play on Friday nights,” said On3 National Director of Rankings and Scouting Charles Power. “The Belleville (Mich.) signal caller checks in at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, with a 10-inch hand. He’s a big-armed passer and plus athlete. The physical gifts have transferred over to the field seamlessly over the past two seasons, with Underwood leading Belleville to back-to-back state titles.

“There is a legitimate ‘wow factor’ a number of plays from his sophomore video. The ball jumps out of Underwood’s hand. He has the ability to drive the ball with palpable velocity to all levels. Underwood is among the more productive passers in the cycle, completing 65% of his passes for 2,751 yards and 37 touchdowns last fall.

“He’s a dangerous runner with the ability to pick up chunks of yards on the ground. There are also some encouraging signs of playmaking feel and ability to make high-level improvisational plays. Like any young quarterback prospect, Underwood will have to continue developing to hit his ceiling, which looks to be very high.”