Michigan fans flock to LSU QB commits HS football game

On November 12, 2024By Littum

Michigan football’s most important game this weekend could have happened less than seven miles from Michigan Stadium, the night before the Wolverines played at Indiana on Saturday.

Belleville High School quarterback Bryce Underwood, rated the No. 1 HS prospect in the country by several national recruiting services, has begun a playoff run just as Michigan is stepping up its efforts to convince Underwood to change his LSU commitment.

That inspired a large group of Wolverine fans to make the short trip to nearby Saline, Michigan Friday night to watch Underwood lead Belleville past Saline, 42-7, and into the Division 1 MHSAA regional finals.

There were Michigan flags in the stands, and some fans showed up Friday with shirts that read “Bryce and E Dot,” referring to Underwood and his Belleville teammate, four-star defensive end Elijah Dotson. Michigan is also trying to woo Dotson to forego his commitment to Pittsburgh and potentially join Underwood as well Wolverines.

Connor Stallions was also in attendance, working with Belleville’s team in an unofficial capacity. Belleville co-coach Calvin Norman told the Free Press the Stallions are helping with the offense and “watching Bryce (Underwood).”

Underwood committed to LSU over Michigan and Alabama four days before the Wolverines won the national championship game last January, in the wake of former Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels winning the Heisman Trophy under coach Brian Kelly.

Underwood has not decommitted from LSU since then, despite recent reports that Michigan coach Sherrone Moore renewed efforts to make inroads with Underwood. He is supposedly among the expected visitors when LSU hosts Alabama on Saturday night. Underwood was the 2023 Gatorade Michigan Player of the Year and led Belleville to its first two state championships in program history as a freshman and sophomore.

Michigan has struggled at the quarterback position during the 2024 season, turning to three different starters through nine games. The fans on Friday made sure that Underwood, who has played his entire high school career at Southeastern Michigan, knows that they see him as a potential salvation down the road.

“They lined up by the tunnel and near the locker room after the game and flashed Michigan jerseys at him and said, ‘This could be you!‘ as Underwood left the field,” wrote Free Press reporter Jared Ramsey.