The college football landscape has shifted dramatically over the years, and no one embodies this new era quite like Bryce Underwood. Underwood, the No. 1 recruit of the 2025 class, stunned the sports world by flipping his commitment from LSU to Michigan and signing a groundbreaking Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal worth up to $12 million.
Now he is back in the headlines as he bags another massive deal by getting the opportunity to be featured on the cover of EA Sports College Football 26 alongside former Michigan star Denard Robinson.
Bryce Underwood: The New Face Of EA Sports College Football 26
Underwood’s selection for the EA Sports College Football 26 deluxe edition cover, alongside Robinson, places him among the sport’s elite.
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Michigan already has a history with EA Sports covers, with Charles Woodson (NCAA Football 99), Desmond Howard (NCAA Football 06), and Denard Robinson (NCAA Football 14) all being featured on the covers of their games.
Last year, College Football 25 was released, which marked the series’ return after a decade. This year’s deluxe edition of the game features a cover shot at the iconic Rose Bowl with Underwood and Robinson, as a tribute to Michigan’s past and future.
The regular edition features Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Alabama’s Ryan Williams on the cover.
Michigan’s Growing Financial Strength
The introduction of NIL agreements in 2021 has transformed college athletics, allowing student-athletes to profit from their personal brands and promotional deals. Underwood, a 17-year-old Belleville, Mich. quarterback, benefited more than the rest by bagging a massive $12 million deal.
A two-time MHSAA Division 1 state champion at Belleville High School, Underwood sought a program with a championship pedigree, and Michigan, fresh off a 2023 national title, offered the perfect stage for him.
Michigan’s ability to secure such a massive deal, fueled by influential alumni like Dave Portnoy and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, showed the program’s rapidly growing financial strength.
The NIL era has redefined recruiting, with top programs leveraging financial incentives to secure the best talent. Underwood’s deal, averaging $2.625 million annually, outpaces even some NFL salaries, for instance, San Francisco’s Brock Purdy, who earns less than 16 college players in 2024.
KEEP READING: Will EA Sports College Football 26 Include FCS Teams?
Critics argue this creates an uneven playing field, with wealthy programs like Michigan, Alabama, and Ohio State dominating recruitment while smaller programs struggle to compete
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