Bryce Underwood isn't only reason Michigan's recruiting class is a win for Sherrone Moore

It’s not just about Bryce Underwood.

Landing the No. 1 prospect in the nation is going to be the story of this or any signing day, and that was the case Wednesday when Underwood signed with Michigan. The Wolverines have their quarterback of the future, and that future could arrive as soon as Game 1 of the 2025 season. To maximize their chances of success, the Wolverines need to surround Underwood with as much talent as possible, starting with the rest of the 2025 recruiting class.

Quarterback wasn’t the only issue for Michigan during Sherrone Moore’s first season. The exodus of players from Michigan’s 2023 national championship team left holes in the roster, and Michigan is expecting to lose several major contributors from this year’s team as well. The recruiting class, which ended the day at No. 7 in the 247Sports Composite rankings, is a first step toward getting back to the College Football Playoff and contending for Big Ten championships again.

Here are five takeaways from signing day.

This was a drama-free signing day

It was close to 6 p.m. when Underwood put pen to paper at his signing ceremony at Belleville High School. He was one the last players to be announced in Michigan’s class, but there was no drama surrounding the five-star quarterback.

“I’m ready to bring my talents, my athleticism, and everything I’m capable of bringing to the next level,” Underwood said.

Pen to paper for Bryce Underwood pic.twitter.com/WIetoVTmBy

— Austin Meek (@byAustinMeek) December 4, 2024

Underwood is one of 16 players expected to enroll early and join the team for bowl practices. In the least surprising development of the day, Moore did not name him the starter for Michigan’s 2025 season opener against New Mexico. But everyone’s aware of the expectation that he’ll be ready to play right away, including Underwood and Moore.

“He has a great skill set, elite skill set: from the pocket, out of the pocket, deep ball, touch, intermediate, short,” Moore said. “He’s talked to me about different things we want to do with him to expand his game, and we’ll do that. He loves the game, loves the grind, loves to get better.”

Wednesday was the first time Underwood has spoken in depth about his decision to decommit from LSU and sign with Michigan. Though Michigan was viewed as a distant second to LSU when Underwood committed to the Tigers last January, he said Michigan was never out of the picture. Underwood didn’t comment on Michigan’s NIL offerings but acknowledged that “the resources and everything that comes with the school” tilted his decision in favor of the Wolverines.

“My education is everything,” Underwood said. “And also me pushing my hometown college to the next level and to a couple national championships.”

Michigan finished strong on defense

The defensive side of Michigan’s class looks stronger than it did a week ago thanks to a few recruitments that broke Michigan’s way.

The Wolverines had two notable flips this week: four-star safety Jordan Young, a top-150 prospect who flipped from Clemson, and four-star edge rusher Nathaniel Marshall, who rejoined Michigan’s class after flipping to Auburn in August. Michigan also landed four-star linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, a longtime target who picked the Wolverines over Colorado, Ohio State, USC and Texas on Wednesday.

Marshall, the No. 55 player in the composite rankings, initially committed to the Wolverines in April, switched his commitment to Auburn in August and flipped back to Michigan on Tuesday. He’s a versatile defensive lineman who could bulk up and play inside or stay in the 240-pound range and play on the edge. Getting him back in the class addressed a need on the defensive line, a position that had some turnover during the 2025 cycle.

“This recruiting game, it’s constant,” Moore said. “You’re never losing contact with these kids. … I don’t know what happened on the other side, but we knew we were recruiting him all the time. The relationship stuck, and we were able to get him back.”

Michigan added another edge prospect on signing day in Travis Moten, a surprise addition to the class. Moten is ranked outside the top 1,000 in the composite rankings but has the size and length to play in the Big Ten at 6 feet 5 and 250 pounds, making him worth a flyer as a developmental prospect.

“He’s a super athletic dude, a raw dude, but he’s huge,” Moore said.

Underwood’s supporting cast is taking shape

As much as Michigan struggled at quarterback this season, the issues at wide receiver were equally glaring. With starting wideout Tyler Morris announcing plans to enter the transfer portal, the Wolverines are headed for a makeover next season.

Andrew Marsh, the No. 70 player in the composite rankings, should provide immediate help. Marsh is a powerful runner after the catch who can match up physically with bigger corners, something Michigan needed. The Wolverines also signed four-star wide receiver Jacob Washington from Louisiana and three-star prospect Jamar Browder, who flipped from NC State to Michigan in November. Washington is listed at 6-3 and Browder is listed at 6-5, reflecting one of Moore’s priorities for this class.

“I wanted some big guys,” Moore said, noting that Michigan hasn’t featured a tall wide receiver since Nico Collins. “Your margin for error for a quarterback, it’s just easier. You throw high to a 6-6 guy, it’s different than throwing high to a 5-11 guy.”

The 2025 class also includes a blind-side protector for Underwood in five-star offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, the No. 14 player in the composite rankings and the highest-rated offensive line prospect to sign with Michigan since 247Sports began ranking players.

“He can be a first-round draft pick,” Moore said. “He’s got all the skills. … He can be as good as any guy that’s played here.”

Moore’s first class is up there with Jim Harbaugh’s best

A No. 7 ranking would make this Michigan’s highest-rated class since the 2017 group that finished No. 5. Of course, “best” and “highest-rated” aren’t always the same thing. Some of Harbaugh’s best classes were the ones that finished lower in the rankings, like the 2018 class that finished No. 22 with Aidan Hutchinson, Michael Barrett, Hassan Haskins and Ronnie Bell. Or the 2022 class that finished No. 12 with Will Johnson, Colston Loveland, Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant.

This Michigan class might be most similar to the 2016 class that also finished No. 7. That class included No. 1 prospect Rashan Gary and a bunch of future pros, including Michael Onwenu, Ben Bredeson, Khaleke Hudson, Devin Bush and Josh Metellus. It’s not hard to imagine the 2025 class producing a similar crop of draft picks.

“It’s been a great couple weeks,” Moore said. “We’ve got to now prepare for the next step. You get these kids here, and we’ve got to work.”

Michigan’s OC search has begun

While finalizing the roster for next season, Moore also will be searching for an offensive coordinator after firing Kirk Campbell on Tuesday. The writing was on the wall after a season marked by offensive futility, particularly in the passing game. Finding the right coach to develop Underwood becomes one of the most important tasks on the offseason to-do list.

“After the (Ohio State) game, I took some time in here by myself, sat back and thought about where we are as an offense, where we are as a program and what we need to do and just felt like it was the best move for us,” Moore said.

Tulane offensive coordinator Joe Craddock is expected to be a hot name in this coaching cycle and could draw interest from Michigan. Former Mississippi State and Florida coach Dan Mullen, currently an analyst with ESPN, has QB bonafides. If Michigan wants to look at a sitting head coach from the Group of 5, Akron’s Joe Moorhead could make sense. Moore also could tap into his connections with the Harbaughs and look for a coach with an NFL background to develop Underwood for the next level.

Underwood said he won’t be heavily involved in the conversation about Michigan’s next offensive coordinator.

“That’s (Moore’s) job to pick,” Underwood said. “That’s not in my hands or anything like that. No matter who it is, I’ll adjust.”

(Photo of Sherrone Moore: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)