Michigan football’s biggest recruiting coup in years wasn’t won solely with NIL promises or championship tradition. It also hinged on a unique set of connections involving Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and one of the wealthiest families in the world, showing just how much the college sports landscape has changed.
How Did John Ellison Help Michigan Land Bryce Underwood?
The saga began in September 2024, when Portnoy publicly declared he would commit between $1 million and $3 million annually to the quarterback position at Michigan. That bold proclamation sparked a chain of events that ultimately helped the Wolverines flip consensus No. 1 recruit Bryce Underwood from LSU to Ann Arbor.
According to Portnoy, Michigan’s staff reached out shortly after his announcement, urging him to connect with a key donor. Initially reluctant, he recalled being persuaded when the team revealed her identity.
“I got a call from the Michigan football team,” Portnoy said. “They said, ‘Hey, there’s this donor who wants to talk to you.’ I said I’m doing this [landing Underwood] by myself, and I don’t need to talk to anybody. And they said, ‘Please, this woman is a big fan of Barstool and you; she’d love to talk to you. Her name is Jolin.’ … They said, ‘Oh, her husband is a guy by the name of Larry Ellison. Have you ever heard of him?’ Oh, Larry Ellison? The No. 2 richest guy on the planet? Yeah, I’ll take that phone call.”
Dave Portnoy details his involvement in flipping No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood〽️👀
(via @stoolpresidente)
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— Rivals (@Rivals) November 26, 2024
That Zoom call proved crucial. Jolin Ellison, a Michigan alumna who married Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison in 2023, voiced her frustrations about the program’s past struggles.
“She said, ‘I never want to live that era ever again. We’re the national champs, I have two kids. I can’t stomach waking up on a Saturday knowing we’re not the best team on the field.’ And I said, ‘I’m with you. What do we have to do?’ And she said, ‘I know what we’ll do. Let’s set up a call… with Bryce Underwood and his parents.’ I said count me in.”
Following these discussions, the Wolverines’ NIL collective, Champions Circle, later credited Larry and Jolin Ellison as “instrumental” in sealing Underwood’s decision.
What Does Bryce Underwood’s Rocky Start Mean for Michigan’s Investment?
Larry Ellison, the co-founder, chief technology officer, and executive chairman of Oracle, has long been one of the world’s most powerful business figures. After a record-breaking quarterly report, Bloomberg recently reported that his net worth surged to $393 billion, making him the wealthiest man alive. That kind of wealth, and the family’s direct connection to Michigan, gave the Wolverines unprecedented momentum in their pursuit of Underwood.
The freshman quarterback, widely regarded as the top prospect in the 2025 class, represents both a massive short-term boost and a long-term investment in Michigan’s national title ambitions. Ellison’s involvement marks a new era in college football, where billionaires and high-powered donors are directly shaping the sport’s landscape.
MORE: Dave Portnoy Calls Out Sherrone Moore’s Bryce Underwood Plan Amid Michigan HC’s Suspension Update
Underwood, who flipped from LSU, became just the fourth true freshman in program history to start a season opener at quarterback. After a terrific performance in Week 1 that had the college football world buzzing, his Week 2 matchup against Oklahoma showed growing pains. He completed only 9 of 24 passes for 124 yards in a 24-13 loss, while Sooners quarterback John Mateer outshone him on the ground.
As Michigan prepares for Week 3 of its 2025 campaign, all eyes will be on Underwood. For Jolin and Larry Ellison, their influence on this decision may be remembered as the moment Michigan football’s future was reshaped. The season will hinge on whether the young quarterback can bounce back and deliver on his immense potential.
