\n\t\t\t
\n Related: <\/span>Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy and Fiancee Katya Kuropas\u2019 Relationship Timeline<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\tMinnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is busy on and off the field. The athlete has been dating his girlfriend, Katya Kuropas, for more than five years. McCarthy and Kuropas fell for each other while they were in high school in Illinois. The football player made a name for himself at Nazareth Academy, committing to Michigan [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Portnoy continued: \u201cI hope they use his legs. He didn\u2019t run at all last week. I think they\u2019re saving it for this week. I think he might be the single best freshman ever in college football. I like Michigan tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keep scrolling to learn more about Michigan\u2019s five-star recruit.\n<\/p>\n
He Grew Up in Detroit<\/h2>\n\n![\"Bryce](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bryce-underwood-2212454679.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
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\n Bryce Underwood<\/span> Nic Antaya\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nUnderwood graduated from Belleville High School, located less than 30 minutes away from Michigan Stadium, near Detroit, where he threw for 1,488 yards, 152 touchdowns and had a 50-4 record. During his tenure, he led the program to two state championships.<\/p>\n
Tom Brady Might Have Convinced Him to Go to Michigan<\/h2>\n\n![\"Bryce](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bryce-underwood-2232945448.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>
\n Bryce Underwood<\/span> Raj Mehta\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nUnderwood actually committed to LSU, until a recruitment effort led in part by Michigan alum Tom Brady apparently swayed him to stay put in his home state.<\/p>\n
In December 2024, during an appearance on the \u201cKickin it with Dee\u201d podcast, Underwood said he was surprised when he received a call from Brady.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt caught me off guard, not gonna lie,\u201d he said at the time.\u201cI didn\u2019t expect it. Next thing I know my phone ringing with a 305 number.\u201d The young football star didn\u2019t share what Brady had to say, but it\u2019s clear the conversation made an impact.<\/p>\n
He Was the No. 1 Recruit in the Country<\/h2>\n\n![\"Bryce](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bryce-underwood-2232963818.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>
\n Bryce Underwood<\/span> Aaron J. Thornton\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nUnderwood was heavily recruited out of high school and entered college as the top recruit in the country. After swapping his allegiance from LSU to Michigan, Underwood also became the highest-rated offensive recruit<\/a> in the college program\u2019s history, helping to boos the school\u2019s current recruiting class to No. 14 overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThank You!<\/h3>\n
You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
He First Gained Attention in 2021<\/h2>\n\n![\"Bryce](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bryce-underwood-2232346958.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>
\n Bryce Underwood<\/span> Scott W. Grau\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nUnderwood\u2019s star began to rise in 2021, when he threw for 2,888 yards and 39 touchdowns as a freshman. He was named Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year in 2023 as a junior.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s Already Dedicated to the Program<\/h2>\n\n![\"Bryce](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/bryce-underwood-2211030557.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>
\n Bryce Underwood<\/span> Aaron J. Thornton\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThough the football season is just beginning, Underwood has demonstrated his dedication to Michigan\u2019s football program from day one. In an interview with ESPN<\/a> published on September 4, 2025, Michigan\u2019s coach Sherrone Moore<\/strong> revealed he\u2019d found the young athlete working out as late as 2 a.m.<\/p>\nAs the outlet noted, once Moore heard Underwood was using the school\u2019s indoor practice facility to work on his passes, he told the young recruit, \u201cYou gotta sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n Bryce Underwood<\/span> Nic Antaya\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Underwood graduated from Belleville High School, located less than 30 minutes away from Michigan Stadium, near Detroit, where he threw for 1,488 yards, 152 touchdowns and had a 50-4 record. During his tenure, he led the program to two state championships.<\/p>\n
Tom Brady Might Have Convinced Him to Go to Michigan<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>
\n Bryce Underwood<\/span> Raj Mehta\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nUnderwood actually committed to LSU, until a recruitment effort led in part by Michigan alum Tom Brady apparently swayed him to stay put in his home state.<\/p>\n
In December 2024, during an appearance on the \u201cKickin it with Dee\u201d podcast, Underwood said he was surprised when he received a call from Brady.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt caught me off guard, not gonna lie,\u201d he said at the time.\u201cI didn\u2019t expect it. Next thing I know my phone ringing with a 305 number.\u201d The young football star didn\u2019t share what Brady had to say, but it\u2019s clear the conversation made an impact.<\/p>\n
He Was the No. 1 Recruit in the Country<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>
\n Bryce Underwood<\/span> Aaron J. Thornton\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nUnderwood was heavily recruited out of high school and entered college as the top recruit in the country. After swapping his allegiance from LSU to Michigan, Underwood also became the highest-rated offensive recruit<\/a> in the college program\u2019s history, helping to boos the school\u2019s current recruiting class to No. 14 overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThank You!<\/h3>\n
You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
He First Gained Attention in 2021<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>
\n Bryce Underwood<\/span> Scott W. Grau\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nUnderwood\u2019s star began to rise in 2021, when he threw for 2,888 yards and 39 touchdowns as a freshman. He was named Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year in 2023 as a junior.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s Already Dedicated to the Program<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>
\n Bryce Underwood<\/span> Aaron J. Thornton\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThough the football season is just beginning, Underwood has demonstrated his dedication to Michigan\u2019s football program from day one. In an interview with ESPN<\/a> published on September 4, 2025, Michigan\u2019s coach Sherrone Moore<\/strong> revealed he\u2019d found the young athlete working out as late as 2 a.m.<\/p>\nAs the outlet noted, once Moore heard Underwood was using the school\u2019s indoor practice facility to work on his passes, he told the young recruit, \u201cYou gotta sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n Bryce Underwood<\/span> Raj Mehta\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Underwood actually committed to LSU, until a recruitment effort led in part by Michigan alum Tom Brady apparently swayed him to stay put in his home state.<\/p>\n
In December 2024, during an appearance on the \u201cKickin it with Dee\u201d podcast, Underwood said he was surprised when he received a call from Brady.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt caught me off guard, not gonna lie,\u201d he said at the time.\u201cI didn\u2019t expect it. Next thing I know my phone ringing with a 305 number.\u201d The young football star didn\u2019t share what Brady had to say, but it\u2019s clear the conversation made an impact.<\/p>\n
He Was the No. 1 Recruit in the Country<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>
\n Bryce Underwood<\/span> Aaron J. Thornton\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nUnderwood was heavily recruited out of high school and entered college as the top recruit in the country. After swapping his allegiance from LSU to Michigan, Underwood also became the highest-rated offensive recruit<\/a> in the college program\u2019s history, helping to boos the school\u2019s current recruiting class to No. 14 overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThank You!<\/h3>\n
You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
He First Gained Attention in 2021<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>
\n Bryce Underwood<\/span> Scott W. Grau\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nUnderwood\u2019s star began to rise in 2021, when he threw for 2,888 yards and 39 touchdowns as a freshman. He was named Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year in 2023 as a junior.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s Already Dedicated to the Program<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>
\n Bryce Underwood<\/span> Aaron J. Thornton\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThough the football season is just beginning, Underwood has demonstrated his dedication to Michigan\u2019s football program from day one. In an interview with ESPN<\/a> published on September 4, 2025, Michigan\u2019s coach Sherrone Moore<\/strong> revealed he\u2019d found the young athlete working out as late as 2 a.m.<\/p>\nAs the outlet noted, once Moore heard Underwood was using the school\u2019s indoor practice facility to work on his passes, he told the young recruit, \u201cYou gotta sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n Bryce Underwood<\/span> Aaron J. Thornton\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Underwood was heavily recruited out of high school and entered college as the top recruit in the country. After swapping his allegiance from LSU to Michigan, Underwood also became the highest-rated offensive recruit<\/a> in the college program\u2019s history, helping to boos the school\u2019s current recruiting class to No. 14 overall.<\/p>\n You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n Underwood\u2019s star began to rise in 2021, when he threw for 2,888 yards and 39 touchdowns as a freshman. He was named Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year in 2023 as a junior.<\/p>\n Though the football season is just beginning, Underwood has demonstrated his dedication to Michigan\u2019s football program from day one. In an interview with ESPN<\/a> published on September 4, 2025, Michigan\u2019s coach Sherrone Moore<\/strong> revealed he\u2019d found the young athlete working out as late as 2 a.m.<\/p>\n As the outlet noted, once Moore heard Underwood was using the school\u2019s indoor practice facility to work on his passes, he told the young recruit, \u201cYou gotta sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nThank You!<\/h3>\n
He First Gained Attention in 2021<\/h2>\n
<\/div>
\n Bryce Underwood<\/span> Scott W. Grau\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHe\u2019s Already Dedicated to the Program<\/h2>\n
<\/div>
\n Bryce Underwood<\/span> Aaron J. Thornton\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n