Did LSU Dodge A Bullet When Bryce Underwood Flipped His Commitment To Michigan?

What once looked like a devastating recruiting loss for LSU might look much different in hindsight.

Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, was committed to LSU for nearly a year before flipping to Michigan just weeks before the Early Signing Period.

Underwood's flip came as Michigan put together a massive NIL package reportedly worth around $12 million. Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and his wife, Jolin, were among those credited with providing Michigan's NIL collective with financial resources that helped make the flip happen.

At the time, losing Underwood was a crushing blow for LSU and then-head coach Brian Kelly.

Less than two years later, Underwood is under the microscope at Michigan following inconsistent play and a rough start to his sophomore season.

Things intensified this week when Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham said Underwood remains the Wolverines' starting quarterback "right now," but made it clear the job isn't set in stone.

Underwood then drew even more attention for his reaction when reporters asked him about Whittingham's comments.

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But there's also an interesting butterfly effect to consider from LSU's perspective.

Had Underwood stayed committed and developed into LSU's quarterback of the future, perhaps he buys Kelly more time in Baton Rouge.

Instead, Underwood flipped, Kelly was eventually fired during the 2025 season, and LSU's coaching search ultimately led to Lane Kiffin taking over the program.

Now Kiffin has LSU looking like a national championship contender, while Underwood's future at Michigan is suddenly being questioned.

There's obviously plenty of time for Underwood to turn things around.

But considering how devastating his flip appeared for LSU at the time, it's fair to wonder:

Did the Tigers actually dodge a bullet?