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Dave Portnoy sets the record straight about how the Michigan Wolverines really “bought” elite QB Bryce Underwood away from LSU

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ryan Roberts | Last updated May 21, 2025 4:27 PM ET

The Bryce Underwood saga was one of the more entertaining, and shocking recruitments we have seen in many years. A long time commit to the LSU Tigers, the Michigan Wolverines swooped in late with a crazy NIL offer and managed to get the 6-3, 205-pound passer a member of the 2026 class. The major controversy centered around the money that was thrown out there, and where that money came from.

When the rumors started circulating around Michigan’s attempts to flip Underwood, Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy was at the forefront of those rumors after declaring he would help pay to make that flip happen on a podcast. A super fan for the Wolverines, Portnoy would do his absolute best to help make it happen. Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison was also a part of the movement, a Michigan alumni who has had a very successful professional career.

On the Club Shay Shay podcast, featuring Shannon Sharpe, Portnoy joined to discuss a variety of topics. Underwood got brought up, and Portnoy finally shined some light on his complete involvement in the Underwood recruitment.

“F*** this, I will buy us a quarterback. I’ll do $3 million. I’ll find us a quarterback. We are never not going to have a quarterback again… That’s how the conversations started. They said we are recruiting this kid Bryce Underwood. I already knew about him because people told me. We went to school twenty minutes north.

Two days later we’re on a phone call with Larry Ellison, myself, Michigan, and the Underwoods. It’s like out of a movie. We’re pitching this kid, and literally it’s like, what world am I in? This is all my interpretation about the money. I didn’t kick in anything. I’m getting credit for it. Larry Ellison, they bought the quarterback.”

In the end, it appears that Portnoy did not handle the bill for Underwood in the end. He did, obviously, have a heavy involvement but it sounds like Ellison was more of the driving force. Either way, the Michigan group made it happen.

Heading into the 2025 college football season, Underwood is busy battling former Fresno State signal caller Mikey Keene for the starting position. Will we know if Underwood is worth the big payday this upcoming season? Nobody knows yet. There’s a good chance we could at least get some signs of it this fall.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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