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Newsstand: Michigan is 'not going to lose on the NIL front anymore'

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•02/06/25•

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Michigan football just signed the No. 6 2025 recruiting class in the nation, thanks in part to an uptick in NIL and pay-for-play dollars through its collective.

Five-star+ quarterback Bryce Underwood, who’s already enrolled early with the Wolverines, is the headliner of the class. He’s the No. 1 recruit in the nation.

On an On3 YouTube show, national recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong explained how Michigan wound up with Underwood, who was committed to LSU before flipping to U-M in late November.

“The rumors started in the fall,” Wiltfong said of the program’s pursuit and increased NIL offering to Underwood. “And it really started picking up for Michigan after another poor showing against Illinois, a tough loss. Sherrone Moore hired Sean Magee to come in and be his general manager. And the Wolverines, as the season continued, really started to change the way they were going to recruit and attack NIL to be a major player. Obviously, there were also some people outside of the program that greatly impacted Bryce Underwood and his decision to flip.

“… Whether that was a local trainer where he worked out keeping Michigan warm throughout the season. And then some heavy hitters, some billionaires coming in, and show Bryce Underwood the type of earnings he could have if he stayed home and played quarterback at the University of Michigan.”

Underwood is one of seven top-100 prospects per the On3 Industry Ranking that are in Michigan’s class, though, making it a star studded group overall and a statement that the Wolverines will compete in the current landscape of college football recruiting.

“I think the root of is, they are not going to lose on the NIL front anymore,” Wiltfong added. “They are going to have a loaded gun when they go into these blue-chip battles. Now Bryce Underwood almost doesn’t count — that was a another level of recruitment there. But a Nate Marshall, flipping him from Auburn down the stretch, getting Ty Haywood in the fold at the end of the cycle. And then when you flip Shamari Earls and Jordan Young. These are the type of recruitments that we haven’t seen Michigan win.”

Michigan’s class ranks No. 6 in the nation, its highest finish since sitting No. 4 in 2017.

What pushed Michigan from No. 9 to No. 6 in the rankings was the addition of four-star offensive tackle Ty Haywood, who signed Wednesday.

More from The Wolverine’s EJ Holland:

Haywood originally committed to Alabama over the summer and seemed solid to the Crimson Tide. After all, Haywood, who is originally from Mississippi, grew up rooting for Alabama.

However, Michigan made a late run in the fall, and Haywood opted not to sign with Alabama during the early signing period. The two parted ways, and Haywood announced his decommitment on Jan. 13.

Michigan sold Haywood on its offensive line development and made a substantial NIL offer. The Wolverines have completely revamped their NIL approach to recruiting under new general manager Sean Magee, who, along with head coach Sherrone Moore, visited Haywood and his family in the Dallas area a week before his OV last month.

Michigan basketball survived with a win over Oregon, 80-76, Wednesday night at Crisler Center.

Quote Of The Day

“All of their offensive linemen have been recruited to the NFL. All their o-line is getting drafted.”

— Haywood on Michigan’s offensive line development

Headlines Of The Day

• EJ Holland, The Wolverine: National Singing Day Superlatives: Best Michigan signee, future team captain, biggest sleeper, more
• EJ Holland, The Wolverine: Behind the scenes look at how Michigan won over elite OL Ty Haywood
• Anthony Broome, The Wolverine: Michigan football reloads: Sherrone Moore’s 2025 class sets foundation for future success
• Chris Balas, The Wolverine: Michigan changes philosophy to finish No. 6 in the recruiting rankings, and there’s no turning back
• Clayton Sayfie, The Wolverine: Grading how Michigan filled needs at each position with 2025 recruiting class

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