Bryce Underwood walked into Ann Arbor with a $12 million NIL deal and the weight of being college football’s top recruit. Fans call him the “best freshman in the country” before he’s even taken a snap.

But with that kind of money and hype comes a question that’s splitting college football: Is he worth it, or is everyone getting ahead of themselves?

Why Did Bryce Underwood Choose Michigan Over LSU?

The former LSU commit shocked the college football world on November 21, 2024, when he flipped to Michigan after nearly a year of pledging to the Tigers. The same day, he signed with the Wolverines, shifting the momentum of Sherrone Moore’s first season in Ann Arbor.

That decision, widely discussed across recruiting circles, also reinforced Michigan’s growing reputation in the NIL space. Underwood’s reported agreement with the university is believed to be worth between $10.5 million and $12 million over four years, making him one of the highest-valued recruits in college football history.

When College Football Report asked fans on X who they believed would be the top freshman in the country next season, responses poured in.

“Underwood and it’s not close,” one user wrote.

Another pointed out: “The True Freshman Running Back at Clemson is going to have a big year,”

“As a Michigan fan I hope it’s Bryce,” a fan remarked.

“Bryce Underwood might be the best player period,” another remarked.

What Makes Underwood’s Arrival at Michigan So Historic?

His arrival makes him the second No. 1 overall prospect to sign with Michigan in the modern recruiting rankings era, joining Rashan Gary (2016). He also joins a short list of elite prospects to pick the Wolverines, including Jabrill Peppers (No. 3 in 2014), Ryan Mallett (No. 5 in 2007), LaMarr Woodley (No. 4 in 2003), and Prescott Burgess (No. 5 in 2003).

Underwood’s high school resume was dominant. Over four seasons, he threw for 11,488 yards. He accounted for 179 total touchdowns with 27 rushing TDs and 152 passing TDs, winning two state championships and compiling a 50-4 record. His national spotlight grew even brighter when he became the No. 1 recruit before his junior year.

Read More: Analyst Predicts ‘Samurai Sword’ QB Bryce Underwood Could Turn Michigan into 2025’s Biggest Sleeper

Despite his accolades, Underwood’s youth and inexperience leave questions unanswered. He won’t turn 18 until August 19, 2025, just before Michigan’s opener against New Mexico. He enters a quarterback battle that features Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene and second-year player Jadyn Davis.

At 6’4″ and 208 pounds, Underwood possesses elite physical traits, including a powerful arm and the mobility to escape pressure and create big plays. Against weaker opponents like Central Michigan, his natural tools alone could give Michigan a decisive edge. However, how well he transitions to the college level remains uncertain, even as expectations soar.

The PWHL’s newest American franchise made another big signing on Thursday, as PWHL Seattle inked defender Anna Wilgren to a one-year contract that will keep her with the club through the 2025-26 season.

Wilgren’s playing rights were acquired by Seattle after she was selected with the 10th pick of the 2025

“We’re excited to have Anna representing Seattle this season,” said PWHL Seattle General Manager Meghan Turner in a news release. “Anna made an immediate impact in her first year with strong defensive play and the ability to contribute to all zones. She’s tough to play against and will be a great fit in our organization.”

The 25-year-old Wilgren, taken by the Montreal Victoire in the fifth round of the 2024 PWHL Draft, scored three goals and six assists for nine points in 30 regular-season games in 2024-25, as well as recording three assists during the Victoire’s playoff series against the Ottawa Charge.

“I am so excited to be a part of bringing women’s hockey to the West Coast,” said Wilgren. “The energy that Seattle fans brought to last year’s PWHL Takeover Tour was incredible. I can’t wait to play in front of such a passionate women’s sports fanbase every night with such a talented group of athletes.”  

Wilgren, a native of Hudson, Wis., spent four seasons playing college hockey at Minnesota State, scoring 12 goals and recording 30 assists for 42 points in 91 career games. In her fifth season, she transferred to Wisconsin, logging in two goals and 22 assists for 24 points in 40 games, helping the Badgers reach the 2024 NCAA Championship.

Wilgren joins a blue line that includes Cayla Barnes and Mariah Keopple, as well as Emily Brown, Megan Carter and Aneta Tejralova.

“She’s been the power behind everything that happens here,” Lois Rittenhouse said with a smile for Barbara Sugarman, who was working in the lobby of the Friedman Jewish Community Center in Kingston.

“She is one awesome lady,” said Cissie Ashley.

“She’s been part of this place in such an intense way. The dedication she has to Sara’s Table has been remarkable,” Rabbi Larry Kaplan said, referring to the JCC’s food pantry for the needy.

On a recent, ordinary weekday morning, the JCC was bustling with people coming and going from exercise class or Pickleball games, arriving to do volunteer work or to buy one of the kosher meals long-time employee Barbara Sugarman had ready for pick-up.

Because Sugarman, who recently turned 82, plans to retire next month after 67 years working for the JCC, a reporter visited and asked people how they feel about the woman who for decades has been synonymous with the Jewish Community Center.

“You should title your piece ‘Spot Reserved in Heaven,’ ” Pickleball player Jeff Lubin advised the reporter.

“She’s an enabler, in a good way,” Lubin continued. “I started teaching a class here (in biblical studies) and Barb helped me get it off the ground. With the bridge club, the men’s club, she asks, ‘What do you need?’ and she makes it happen.”

Back in the 1950s, Sugarman was a 15-year-old student at Kingston High School who wanted a summer job.

“All of my friends were working at the camp,” she said, noting the JCC maintained a camp at Twin Lakes at the time. “I called for a job and they said the staff was full but if I wanted to volunteer I could.”

Sugarman began working as a volunteer but by the time seven weeks of summer camp were over, the camp administration decided to pay her after all. Her salary for the whole summer was $35, paid in one lump sum.

With camp over for the season, Sugarman volunteered to work at the center through the rest of her high school career and while she was studying education at Temple University. Basically, she never left — not during the time she worked for the Bell Telephone Co., and not when she and her husband, the late Howard Sugarman, were raising their three children.

For 19 years she served as the Jewish Center Youth Regional Director and for more than 20 subsequent years she has served as director of adult and cultural programs, arranging holiday and educational programs, collecting food for the hungry and helping people every way she could think of.

“She’s a wealth of knowledge. She answers any question you have,” said co-worker Lisa Cope. “In the short time I’ve been here, about a year and a half, she’s like my best friend.”

“If you ever needed any kind of connection, she knew it,” said Gerri Kaplan, leader of the Midrasha School.

“I like people,” Sugarman said, offering a hint to the key to her success. “I’m a people person. I tell people to call me, even on a weekend, even at night. I like to be available.”

For Sugarman, it was difficult in recent weeks to tell person after person that an upcoming local history class at the JCC, to be taught by local historian Tony Brooks, had reached its limit and their names would be put on a waiting list.

More recently she was relieved to have the class moved to a larger space, so the 47 people on the waiting list could be notified that they were welcome to attend after all.

Making them happy made her happy.

“I can’t imagine this place without her,” said JCC president Jane Messinger. “She is the essence of the JCC and what we’re all about. She’s irreplaceable.”

“We’re going to remain friends,” Messinger said, giving Sugarman a fond hug. “Hopefully she’ll come back for a visit.”

“I’m going to miss the people here,” said Sugarman, whose next chapter involves moving to South Carolina to live with her son Jeff and daughter-in-law Heather, who are building a home there.

Other family members include daughter Wendy and her husband Scott Lowden, daughter Randi and her husband Aaron Chapin and grandchildren Katie Sugarman, Jacob Sugarman and Sydney Chapin.

Family and friends will celebrate Sugarman’s long career this weekend at a brunch, and she expects her last day at work will be in the middle of August.