Dave Portnoy believes he and Michigan are both back on top of the college football kingdom.
While wearing a crown and holding a scepter, Portnoy gloated Thursday after Michigan flipped No. 1 quarterback Bryce Underwood from his previous LSU commitment.
Michigan reportedly offered Underwood a four-year, $10.5 million Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal and Portnoy hinted that he contributed to the enormous Wolverines recruiting win.
“How’s everyone doing out there,” Portnoy said with a grin like a Cheshire Cat in an X video posted Thursday night. “QB No. 1. Number one. Not in the town, not in the district, not in the state. QB No. 1 in the country. Recruit No. 1 in the country. We don’t do four stars at Michigan, we do five stars. We do No. 1 recruits in the country, we do national champions. I told you we did it.”
Underwood flipping his commitment from LSU to Michigan is the type of move that could have a seismic effect on college football, and Portnoy certainly seems to be following a “Hail to the Victors” mentality.
The Wolverines are experiencing a down season after last year’s national title, but should be back in the national title hunt once Underwood is under center in Ann Arbor.
The dual-threat quarterback has totaled 34 touchdowns this year for Belleville — a high school powerhouse in Michigan, per MaxPreps.
Underwood, a Michigan native for plays for Belleville, originally committed to LSU, but in this new NIL world that doesn’t mean much. Michigan’s money seemingly paved the way for him to stay close to home.
Portnoy all but confirmed he played a role in securing Underwood’s commitment, although he left open some room for interpretation.
“Now everyone’s like, ‘Dave, how much were you involved? Listen, there’s a lot of other factors. I’m not going to sprout from my mouth and say this, that, the other thing,” Portnoy said.
“Was I involved in a call with the family, are they lovely people, did we pitch a plan? Of course we did.”
Portnoy ended his minute-plus clip mocking an Ohio State fan who he claimed had been chiding him over the situation.
The Buckeyes spent roughly $20 million on their title-contending team this year, their athletic director told Yahoo, and Michigan seemingly is ready to go dollar-for-dollar with their bitter rivals.
“Because that’s what we do at Michigan. QB No. 1,” Portnoy said with a cackle. “It is great to be king.”