January 6, 2024, was a day many college fan bases were waiting for. Bryce Underwood, the number 1 player in the country and the class of 2025, was set to commit. With a final seven of Alabama, Florida State, Penn State, Oregon, Colorado, LSU, and the hometown University of Michigan, Underwood had a big choice ahead of him.
With a packed house at Belleville High School, Underwood’s mother opened the night by saying how proud she was of her son, and then she opened it up to anyone who wanted to say anything to Bryce to come up and talk. After the stories about Bryce from family and coaches, they played a video with more messages from family and former coaches, but the video also showed highlights and clips of Bryce’s play from pee wee football up to high school.
After playing the video, Bryce Underwood had the floor, and he thanked everyone for showing up and thanking his family and coaches. It was time for the main event. Where Would Bryce Underwood, the number one player in the country for the class of 2025, go? As he reached into a bag under the table, he pulled out an LSU jersey with his name on the back, and the Belleville Tiger picked the LSU Tigers.
A factor that many thought would give Michigan the edge is the connection with recent Michigan signee Jeremiah Beasley, who won two state titles with Underwood, among others on the Michigan roster. Despite those connections, Underwood didn’t want to decide based on what others around him were doing. “I was always going to stick to myself,” Underwood said. “Jeremiah Beasley is one of my brothers, for sure. With him going to Michigan, I was just proud of him, and he’s going to lead his way and have his own legacy.”
“It just felt like home when I was there,” Underwood said after picking the Tigers over the Wolverines. It was a closer battle than many thought; however, what separated LSU from Michigan in Underwood’s eyes was the development of quarterbacks. LSU has a knack for developing NFL quarterbacks, as two of the last five Heisman Trophy Winners have been LSU quarterbacks. In 2019, it was Joe Burrow, and this year with Jayden Daniels. Part of feeling at home is fitting into LSU’s system, which is nothing to worry about. “I’m a gamechanger and I’m a big playmaker,” Underwood said when asked about fitting in with their system.
Not only is it that LSU feels like home, but it is also the draw of the SEC for Underwood, as he said, “It’s the most competitive conference for sure.” Underwood’s goal is to make it to the NFL, and he said that the SEC is “the most prepared conference that will get you to the NFL.”
Underwood has been in the spotlight for the longest time and was still shocked by the turnout. “I didn’t know it was going to get like this,” Underwood said. “I’m enjoying it for sure, and I appreciate all the love.”