- Michigan pulled off a major coup by signing five-star QB Bryce Underwood
The college football world was stunned when top quarterback recruit Bryce Underwood switched his commitment from LSU to Michigan, and Dave Portnoy has explained how billionaire Larry Ellison was involved in the decision.
Fans first noticed Ellison and his wife Jolin’s names in a statement from Michigan’s NIL collective announcing Underwood’s commitment.
And Barstool boss Portnoy — a proud Michigan alum who previously said he would contribute $3 million to help Michigan get a new quarterback — explained this week how he and Oracle co-founder Ellison joined forces
“I got a call from the Michigan football team,” Portnoy began on television Tuesday Barstool College Football Show. ‘
“They said, ‘Hey, there’s a donor who wants to talk to you. I said I do this [getting a quarterback] alone and I don’t have to talk to anyone. And they said, ‘Please, this woman is a big fan of Barstool and you; she would like to talk to you. Her name is Jolin. … They said her husband is a man named Larry Ellison. Have you ever heard of him?’
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy is a proud Michigan alum — and previously pledged to pay for the school’s next quarterback
Portnoy explained how he joined forces with billionaire Larry Ellison and his wife Jolin to land Bryce Underwood
From that point on, Portnoy was sold when he spoke to Ellison, who he estimates is worth $232.6 billion Forbes – and Jolin and the three had a Zoom call that evening.
Like Portnoy, Jolin is a Michigan alum and revealed she was inspired by Portnoy’s statement in September that he would fund Michigan’s next quarterback.
“I needed someone from Michigan to show me that they cared as much as I did,” Portnoy recalled her saying. “And then it was like the mega powers united.”
According to Portnoy, Jolin also said she “can’t bear to wake up on Saturday knowing we’re not the best team on the field.”
After the Zoom call between Portnoy, Ellison and Jolin, the pair set up a conversation with Underwood and his parents and presented a pitch about Barstool’s marketing power and Ellison’s unlimited wallets.
Ultimately, Michigan reportedly offered Underwood a deal worth $10 million over four seasons — an offer LSU was unable to match.
The SEC’s offer would be approximately $1.5 million per year.
Portnoy received plenty of praise for Underwood’s tag before Michigan’s NIL collective publicly thanked Ellison and Jolin, though the latter told Portnoy she wasn’t concerned about getting credit — just that she wanted to see more national championships.
Underwood, the No. 1 recruiting prospect, shifted his commitment from LSU to Michigan
The Barstool Sports founder celebrated Underwood’s dedication to his beloved Wolverines.
‘QB No. 1. No. 1. Not in the city. Not in the neighborhood. Not in the state. No. 1 QB in the country. Recruit No. 1 in the country,” Portnoy stated emphatically.
“Now everyone says, ‘Dave, how involved were you?’ Listen, there are a lot of other factors, I’m not going to spout off my mouth and say this and the other. [But] Was I involved in the conversation with the family? Are they nice people? Have we pitched a plan? Of course we did!
“Because that’s what we do in Michigan. QB No. 1. Hahaha, it’s great to be king!’
He added Tuesday that Barstool will release a merchandise collection with Underwood on Black Friday.
It’s been a disappointing season for the defending champion Wolverines, who are just 6-5 overall following the departure of coach Jim Harbaugh, but they hope to get back on track next year with Underwood.