You can't be timid in the world of college football recruiting. Michigan football has made a bold move attempting to flip the commitment of five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class, but it's a move that could cost them.
The Wolverines are making a strong push and according to reports, are willing to pay more than $5 million in NIL money to get Underwood to flip his commitment to Michigan football.
One of the problems with that is that Michigan football already has a quarterback committed in the 2025 class. At least it did until Tuesday as Carter Smith, clearly reacting to the Underwood news, has decommitted and re-opened his recruitment.
@CoachRodeBV pic.twitter.com/3pgphuv9P0
— Carter Smith (@_CarterSmith9) October 31, 2024
Smith posted the news on X on Monday night and here is what his Dad told EJ Holland of The Wolverine: “Circumstances have changed and we think the best option moving forward is to open his recruitment up."
Thoughts on Carter Sith decommitment
Smith is ranked No. 158 overall in the 2025 class according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. He's also ranked 14th among quarterbacks. Unlike Underwood, Smith is more of a dual threat and has drawn comparisons to Kansas State's Avery Johnson.
But no one is projecting Smith to one day be the first overall pick in the NFL draft. Underwood is committed to LSU though and while it's clear he's listening to Michigan's pitch, there aren't any signs a flip is imminent.
Some will point to Smith's decommitment as a good sign and maybe it is. Maybe it means that Underwood is going to flip his commitment.
But it also means that Michigan football currently doesn't have a quarterback commitment in the 2025 class and if the Wolverines whiff on Underwood, they might not have any.
Even if Underwood doesn't choose Michigan, I doubt Smith will be an option. Circumstances could change but other programs are certain to come after Smith and I doubt he's willing to sit around and wait for the Wolverines to get an answer from Underwood.
There was hope that Smith would stick with his commitment even if Underwood flipped, but he's a top-200 recruit overall and that was always going to be a tough sell.
Now, it's basically Underwood or bust for Michigan football in the 2025 class, which is just the cost of doing business.