Report: Father Of Elite 2025 College Football Recruit Reveals 'Silly' NIL Offers

During a session with the college football media, the father of the top-ranked 2025 recruit admitted to some NIL-related rumors.

Jaquan Underwood, the father of the top-overall 2025 recruit Bryce Underwood, was asked about the NIL deals and money offered to his son. Bryce, who had virtually every major program contacting him, committed to the LSU Tigers football program months ago. The Underwood family has been vocal about the NIL money that has been offered to them, and has stayed true to their commitment as they aim for the NFL.

Top-Ranked Recruit Bryce Underwood, Father Jaquan Underwood Speak Out About Current NIL Affairs

New York Giants Malik Nabers — Nov 25, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers fans react to a touchdown by wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

At the On3 Elite Series showcase, both Bryce and Jaquan Underwood, the father-son duo, had the chance to speak to the media about his recruitment. Underwood was asked about his status as the top-overall recruit and how that could have potentially impacted the financial packages, or NIL deals, he was receiving. The quarterback stated that his recruitment is “…mainly about where I’m trying to get to.”

What Underwood meant specifically was that he is more interested in heading to the NFL than he was about earning NIL money at this point in time. Heading into his Senior year of play, Underwood has a current NIL valuation of $496k, which will likely increase before he reaches campus.

The Underwoods Admit to Encountering ‘Silly’ Money During ‘Panic Mode’

LSU football college football — Oct 7, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; A general view of a LSU Tigers helmet against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

When the top recruit in the class is on the line, programs are willing to throw some extra cash towards the recruit. However, in the case of Bryce Underwood, someone decided to throw far too much money towards the recruit.

Jaquan, the father of Bryce, looks at the situation and laughs about it as he realizes why the unnamed program made such a quick decision. Underwood stated the program knew about his commitment coming to LSU and entered ‘Panic Mode’ which led to an extreme NIL offer. The Underwood family declined to name the program, and also declined the offer from the program as they continued to commit to LSU football.

Underwood: ‘My Main Goal is the NFL, Number One Draft Pick’

bryce jay underwood — Bryce Jay Underwood looks to pass (Photo Courtesy of Sports Illustrated)

For the Underwood family, particularly Bryce, the goal within football has always been to be the best. However, Bryce believes that the best means the first overall selection in the draft when he choose to enter the NFL. While that is still four to five years away for the quarterback, what truly influenced his collegiate decision was which school can allow him to make the NFL the easiest.

Underwood was able to watch former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels do just that a season ago. Daniels earned the Heisman Trophy as well as the second-overall selection in the draft behind Caleb Williams. Underwood is motivated to follow the exact same path at LSU, except being selected anything other than first.