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Michigan’s $12.5M QB deal raises red flags as possible NIL scandal unfolds

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Corder | Last updated May 6, 2025 6:21 PM ET

Is Michigan Playing by the NIL Rules—Or Just Playing Everyone?

In the wild world of college football, where money now talks louder than tradition, Michigan’s splashy $12.5 million NIL deal for five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood has turned heads—and raised eyebrows. The Wolverines’ recruiting class is loaded with high-value signees, yet somehow, their NIL collective didn’t crack the top 10 richest list released last week by Crain & Company.

That omission doesn’t add up. Programs like Ohio State, USC, and Texas—known for their deep NIL pockets—sit comfortably atop the rankings. But Michigan? Absent. “Michigan spent what, 12 million on just one quarterback and they can’t crack into the top 10? That’s why I’m not buying any of this,” said Crain & Company co-host David Cone. The Champions Circle, Michigan’s NIL collective, claims transparency, yet Bryce Underwood alone is worth more than multiple schools’ full-year NIL spending.

The Numbers Tell One Story. The Rankings Tell Another.

It’s not just Underwood. Five-star offensive tackle Andrew Babalola—valued at $711K—and top-100 recruits Ty Haywood, Nate Marshall, and Shamari Earls all signed with Michigan this cycle. That’s millions more in NIL compensation. So how does a collective funding this kind of class not show up in national rankings? The likely answer: Michigan may be strategically keeping its financial operations out of public view.

Ellison-backed money (yes, Oracle’s Larry Ellison) reportedly helped secure Underwood. If true, it would explain the Wolverines’ war chest—but not their silence. “If anybody can hide something, it’s Michigan,” Crain & Company host Jake Crain quipped. Given their history—from sign-stealing scandals to controversial title claims—it wouldn’t be the first time Michigan blurred the lines to gain an edge.

The Bottom Line

If Michigan wants to lead college football’s new NIL era, it must stop acting like it’s still playing in the old one. Transparency isn’t just optional—it’s a necessity. And fans, media, and the NCAA deserve answers.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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