Tom VanHaaren, ESPN Staff Writer January 6, 2024, 6:08 p.m. ET
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- ESPN Staff
- Joined ESPN in 2011
- Graduated from Central Michigan
LSU received a commitment from the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2025 on Saturday when quarterback Bryce Underwood announced his decision to play for the Tigers.
Underwood chose LSU over a final group of Alabama and Michigan, giving coach Brian Kelly the best prospect and quarterback in the cycle.
Underwood, a 6-foot, 200-pound recruit from Belleville, Michigan, had offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan and most other major programs. However, it was LSU that prevailed.
“They offered me as a sophomore, have been recruiting me ever since and the program history,” Underwood said. “They have a great program history and a great quarterback history as well.”
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As a junior at Belleville High School, Underwood threw for 3,165 yards and had 40 touchdowns with just two interceptions. He also had 160 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns for the team. He is viewed as a potential immediate impact candidate for LSU.
Underwood is striving to get to the next level, which he said was an important part of the discussion with the LSU coaches.
“It was important for me to prepare for the NFL as a quarterback,” Underwood said. “Besides, it’s a big deal that I’m involved in an understandable crime.”
The LSU staff was also able to take advantage of the fact that Jayden Daniels had just won the Heisman Trophy. That resonated with Underwood, who said he was able to see the success he could have at LSU instead of having to imagine what could be.
His commitment gives the Tigers four ESPN 300 commitments in the 2025 class, along with five-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore (No. 4 overall prospect from Duncan, Texas), running back Harlem Berry (No. 16), and Linebacker Keylan Moses (No. 265).