Michigan did it.

The Wolverines did what many thought they couldn’t do by flipping five-star QB Bryce Underwood from LSU, a move that will have ripple effects across the country and multiple recruiting classes.

This is what we heard at the time but could not report and what we expected during a complicated process.

Let’s go inside.

We received a text from one of our strongest sources on September 24 that the Underwood’s and Michigan, specifically Sherrone Moore, had spoken and rekindled an old flame.

Those discussions started out simple, but increased significantly over the coming days and weeks, culminating in news that the Wolverines were putting pressure on Underwood and should be considered a legitimate threat to turn him.

The powers that be at UM asked the NIL infrastructure to see if they could put together a NIL package for him, shortly after it was determined that the Underwood’s were receptive to UM and that it was effective.

From those we speak to, the idea that Underwood “might” happen with people starting to talk about the situation with certainty is the numerous meetings people had and the people involved responded to those meetings.

There have been countless meetings, discussions and work done by multiple people to make this happen. Flights, phone calls and so many moving parts that they all had to be synced together to make this work.

It was this work and the fact that UM had the resources that turned the tide here. Multiple sources told us UM asked what they needed to do to regain eligibility and get this over the finish line, and that’s exactly what the Wolverines did. And to be clear, the NIL package is important in itself and difficult to dismiss; the money part wasn’t everything.

After multiple rumors about Underwood being on campus near UM facilities, we can confirm that Underwood had been to practice twice this week prior to this decision.

That was not the final decision, as multiple sources confirmed to M&BR that UM had been working knowing Underwood would be coming to UM within the past month, which explains the lack of panic amid the twists and turns in reports suggesting he will stay put . and deleted Instagram stories.

This had been packed for a while, but was under lock and key, and no one wanted to be the “source” of any leaks. It was a vulnerable process and the Wolverines played it well.

It wasn’t all good vibes though, there were times when things threatened to fall apart or not work, and it didn’t help that things became so public. There were people who actively told others not to discuss the procedure because they didn’t want to scare anyone away.

But in the end it didn’t matter.

Those in UM circles who were on a need to know basis, including Moore, Magee and other senior figures in NIL circles, had believed since late October that a turnaround was a certainty, but had to pretend that they were predetermined process. out.

Credit obviously goes to Sherrone Moore for making this change happen. Since taking over the job, he has been relentless and has been busy reorganizing the recruitment department, strengthening its resources, making it better organized and ensuring more resources go to NIL.

However, he is not the only one responsible. General manager Sean Magee has, we’re told, delivered a masterclass in navigating everything under a veil of secrecy. Being meticulous and detailed throughout the process helped Moore and the Wolverines in a big way.

Champions Circle and other members of the NIL circle are also responsible. They took marching orders and ran with it, giving Moore and Magee everything they needed, as well as the Underwood’s.

Everyone worked together, which is a big reason why things worked the way they did.