Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy played a significant role in bringing quarterback Bryce Underwood to Michigan Wolverines last offseason.
Will Underwood leave Michigan?
However, Portnoy is not looking to do whatever it takes to the former 5-star No. 1 overall recruit in Ann Arbor.
Fresh off Michigan’s National Championship, the outspoken Wolverines alum watched in horror as the team stumbled to a 5-4 Big Ten record with Davis Warren at quarterback.
During an epic rant on a Barstool podcast, Portnoy delivered what might go down as an all-time legendary quote in Ann Arbor: he vowed to personally spend whatever it takes to get a real quarterback on campus. But now, after Michigan got embarrassed at home in The Game with starter Bryce Underwood barely able to move the chains, Portnoy is pumping the brakes.
On The Triple Option podcast with his FOX Sports Big Noon Kickoff crew, Portnoy declared he’s officially “out” on dumping any more of his own money into the Wolverines’ NIL if Underwood even thinks about hitting the portal.
“I’m out of it. He’d have to have some big balls to say he wants to renegotiate now,” Portnoy said. “I don’t think that’s coming down the ‘pike. That would be surreal. I’m out of it.”
Underwood had his share of struggles in his first season as Michigan’s starting quarterback. He completed just 61.1% of his pass attempts, for 2,229 yards, with nine touchdowns and six interceptions.
Portnoy sounds off
In the interview with FOX Sports, Portnoy suggested that Underwood very well might have played his last down at Michigan already.
“It really seems like if somebody came along and said, ‘Hey Bryce, here’s $20 mill,’” Portnoy said. “I think he could bounce if he wanted to. I don’t think there’s any rules going on with that, as far as I could tell.”
Though Underwood, a true freshman, hasn’t given the slightest hint he’s unhappy in Ann Arbor, the transfer portal moves fast and feelings change faster.
Just look at last year’s Nico Iamaleava circus: the former five-star ditched Tennessee for UCLA over a silly NIL dispute, only to watch the Bruins flop while the Vols stayed in the playoff hunt without him, while also taking significantly less money.
Don’t expect help from Portnoy
Portnoy says his wallet officially closed months ago, right after he sat down with Underwood’s family and Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison (whose wife bleeds maize and blue).
While Underwood was still weighing his flip to Michigan, Portnoy promised to toss in some cash, shook hands, and walked away.
Bottom line: if Bryce Underwood comes knocking again looking for a second-year bag, Dave Portnoy won’t be answering the door.
