Skip to main content
michigan logo

Bryce Underwood to LeBron James: 'It's over for Ohio State'

Chris Balasby:Chris Balas•about 12 hours•

Balas_Wolverine

Michigan Wolverines football quarterback Bryce Underwood on his U-M visit. (Photo by Lon Horwedel / TheWolverine.com)
Michigan Wolverines football quarterback Bryce Underwood on his U-M visit. (Photo by Lon Horwedel / TheWolverine.com)

Michigan freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood has never lacked for confidence, one of the reasons many suspected he’d be an elite player as early as his middle school days. Underwood has been every bit as good as advertised in the early going as both a player and a teammate, and his swagger … well, it’s as pronounced as ever.

Recently, Underwood — via friend and Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden — met Ohio State fan and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James after a Lakers game. He put his cards on the table before James could say anything, he told Rich Eisen on his show today.

“I grew up a LeBron James fan. I have the Miami Heat jersey. I have the Cleveland jersey, all that,” Underwood said, noting Harden helped set up the postgame meeting at halftime. “I said, ‘before this gets all started, I just had to let you know, I go to Michigan.’ He was like, ‘Oh … yeah.’ And I said, ‘Yeah … it’s over for Ohio State.’”

James took it well, he said, but Underwood had to let him know the next few Novembers were going to “go like the last four,” which included two blowout wins and two that came down to the wire.

Underwood, the nation’s top prep quarterback and No. 1 overall player, enrolled early and is already preparing for spring ball and the chance to start this fall. He’s competing with Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene for the job, and the two should push each other in spring ball through the summer.

He told Eisen he’s already thought about running through the tunnel and touching the banner for his first time in a winged helmet. He’ll have every opportunity to win the job.

“Of course [I’ve thought about that],” Underwood said. “With social media being a huge thing, there are going to be a ton of cameras out. My whole life — high school, 7-on-7s, everything I’ve been going through— there have been cameras out, so it’s just another big step that’s going to happen. That’s going to kick off my legacy.”

Asked what his legacy would be, Underwood paused.

“A couple Heismans and at least one Natty (National Championship),” he predicted.

Time will tell, but he’s ready to get started and prove himself as the next U-M great.

You may also like