Is Bryce Underwood transferring to LSU? Viral fake post about $20 million NIL offer dupes Michigan fans

Jeff Hauser

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Is Bryce Underwood transferring to LSU? Viral fake post about $20 million NIL offer dupes Michigan fans image

Michigan’s chaotic week took another strange turn when a viral fake post claiming Bryce Underwood had been offered $20 million to transfer to LSU duped thousands of fans.

The fabricated report spread quickly on social media, fueled by the program’s abrupt coaching change and the rising anxiety surrounding Underwood’s future.

The freshman quarterback, who grew up 30 minutes from campus, is now the centerpiece of Michigan’s retention efforts as it begins an unexpected coaching search with Sherrone Moore out. 

The 18-year-old started every game this season, guided the Wolverines to a 9-3 finish and ranked No. 28 nationally in ESPN’s QBR metric.

It was a remarkably polished debut for the most hyped in-state recruit Michigan has signed in more than a decade.

MORE: Sherrone Moore replacements, from Kalen DeBoer to Jesse Minter

Is Bryce Underwood transferring to LSU?

No, there is no news of Underwood transferring to LSU.

The following post on Instagram went viral, generating over 35,000 likes in under 24 hours. However, the account is satire.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A different post stating that Underwood had entered the transfer portal went viral on X with over 1 million views.

The account is also satire.

There are no guarantees Underwood stays at Michigan. With Moore fired for cause, multiple programs are monitoring the situation closely. 

LSU was where Underwood was previously committed late in the 2025 cycle under Brian Kelly. It's now viewed as a school that would pursue him if he ever entered the portal, especially with Lane Kiffin pulling strings. 

However, several factors still tilt in Michigan’s favor and help debunk the viral “$20 million” claim.

Underwood is under contract. The freshman signed a multi-year NIL agreement out of high school worth more than $2 million annually, according to sources familiar with the deal. That contract includes a substantial buyout, making any transfer far more complicated than simply announcing new intentions. He also carries enormous hometown weight. 

Michigan is expected to give recent signees flexibility amid the transition, but rostered players like Underwood are contractually protected. A strong new head-coach/quarterbacks-coach pairing would further aid the Wolverines’ push to retain their young star.

For now, the rumors remain just that and are amplified by a convincing fake post and a restless fan base. What is real is the competition forming around one of college football’s most valuable players.

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Staff Writer