BELLEVILLE >> After all the courting, including a phone conversation with Tom Brady and the involvement of Michigan’s collective and deep-pocketed donors, the moment Bryce Underwood, the nation’s top-rated recruit out of Belleville High, sealed his flip to the Wolverines from LSU came in a simple phone call to head coach Sherrone Moore.

Underwood officially signed with Michigan on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period, and is the program’s highest-ranked commitment since defensive tackle Rashan Gary signed in 2016. Underwood had been committed to LSU since Jan. 6, but changed his decision and chose Michigan just less than two weeks ago.

“Honestly, school. School is a big thing, as well,” Underwood said Wednesday when asked why he ultimately chose Michigan. “Education is everything. So me pushing my hometown college to the next level and a couple national championships.”

Moore said Wednesday he had the feeling Underwood would commit to Michigan, but it was made official with that phone call.

“Just extremely excited for that to happen and all the hard work that we’ve done in the communication and relationship built,” Moore said. “Felt like it was coming to that but was really happy that it came into play.”

After joining six of his teammates for a packed-house signing day celebration at the high school Wednesday evening, Underwood was asked Moore’s reaction when he told him he was officially committing to Michigan.

“His dream came true as well as mine,” Underwood said, smiling. “That’s basically how it went. And we just established what our goals were and what are expectations were.”

Michigan’s offense struggled mightily this season and saw three quarterbacks make starts before the Wolverines ultimately returned to Davis Warren, the starter in the season opener. On Tuesday, Moore announced the firing of offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell after his first season calling plays.

Underwood was asked if he will have input in who Michigan’s next coordinator would be but said he will leave hiring to Moore.

“It’s a process no matter what,” Underwood said. “And I’m willing to be the best no matter who the coach is.”

This season, Underwood was 113-of-151 for 2,095 yards with 29 touchdowns and three interceptions and he also had 489 rushing yards on 29 carries and three touchdowns. He threw for 3,165 yards in 2023 and had 160 rushing yards and seven touchdowns to go with his 40 passing touchdowns and two interceptions.

“He’s an excellent player,” Moore said. “Obviously, he has a great skill set, elite skill set. From the pocket, out of the pocket, deep ball, touch, intermediate, short. You know, he’s talked to me about different things we want to do with him to expand his game and we’ll do that. But exceptional leader and he loves the game. He loves to grind. He loves to get better. First question he asked me, he’s like, Coach, how late is the door open? How late can I be in the building? As late as you want, buddy. So excited, very excited to get him here and get to work.”

Underwood and fellow Michigan commit Elijah Dotson, who flipped from Pitt, said they will graduate from Belleville on Dec. 19 and plan to immediately enroll at Michigan. The Wolverines are 7-5 and will play in a bowl game, and early enrollees are allowed to participate in bowl practices so Underwood and Dotson said they will be there. Dotson said he is projected to play safety.

Getting that practice time is a springboard to winter conditioning and spring practice. Moore was asked if the multi-million dollar investment in Underwood justifies him being the Day 1 starter when the season opens next fall.

“We’re just going to work. That’s all we’re going to do,” Moore said. “He wants to earn everything. He doesn’t want to be given anything, so we’re going to work.”

But does Underwood expect to start next fall?

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be the best, so if that would come with it, yes,” he said.

Michigan could sign an experienced quarterback from the NCAA transfer portal, which opens next week. Underwood said he’d be unfazed.

“Competition is competition no matter who they bring in or who is there,” Underwood said. “No matter what, I’m still going to compete.”

There is pressure that comes with being the hometown quarterback playing in state, especially on a big stage like Michigan Stadium. But Underwoods said he has been praying to be in a moment like this and it does not feel too enormous for him.

“Honestly, it comes with hard work and that’s what I’ve been preparing for my entire life,” Underwood said. “Hard work has been my main motto in my entire life and pushed me through whatever I need to get through.”