In committing to Michigan on Thursday, quarterback Bryce Underwood joined an exclusive list of superstar recruits who chose the Wolverines.
Underwood is the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 class according to the 247Sports composite rankings, which go back to 2000. Over that time, Michigan has landed five top-five prospects. Here is look at those players and what they did at Michigan and beyond.
Gary, a defensive tackle from New Jersey power Paramus Catholic, was the unanimous top overall player in the class. On the set of "SportsCenter" during national signing day, Gary donned a Michigan cap, giving Jim Harbaugh a huge recruiting win in his first full cycle as Michigan's head coach.
Gary was terrific at Michigan, though not an All-American. He played right away, started as a sophomore, and made the All-Big Ten team as a junior. Playing mostly on the interior of the defensive line, his stats rarely stood out, but he was an effective piece of a Michigan defense that ranked in the top three nationally throughout his tenure.
Gary was drafted 12th overall by the Green Bay Packers in 2019, who have used him more as a pass rusher than Michigan did. He's been with the Packers ever since, signing a massive extension last year.
Another Paramus product, Peppers was the No. 4 prospect in his class. Listed as an "athlete" by many recruiting services, Peppers arrived at Michigan capable of playing multiple defensive positions, a little bit of offense, and as a dangerous punt returner.
After redshirting as a freshman, he played two seasons at Michigan. In 2016, he was a Heisman Trophy finalist, finishing fifth. On defense he was a linebacker/safety hybrid, and Michigan used him as a ball carrier as well. He had three rushing touchdowns and a punt return touchdown that year, along with 72 tackles and an interception.
Peppers was drafted 25th by the Cleveland Browns; he's played for the Giants and Patriots as well, as a defensive back.
The 6-foot-6 quarterback from Texarkana, Texas, was ranked fifth in his class. He played some for the injured Chad Henne as a freshman in 2007 but transferred to Arkansas after the season once Lloyd Carr retired and Michigan turned to Rich Rodriguez and a spread offense.
Mallett put up big numbers at Arkansas, and finished seventh in the Heisman voting in 2010. He fell to the third round of the NFL draft the next year. Over a six-year career with the Patriots, Texans, and Ravens, Mallett appeared in 21 games with eight starts, last appearing in the 2017 season.
Tragically, Mallett drowned in Florida last year. He was 35.
The linebacker from Saginaw was ranked fourth overall and first in the state more than 20 years ago. Woodley was a beast as a Wolverine, whether playing defensive end or linebacker. As a senior he won the Lombardi Award, given to the country's best lineman on either side of the ball, after leading the Big Ten with 12 sacks.
A second-round draft pick, he played in the NFL for nine years, the first seven with Pittsburgh, where he won a Super Bowl. He was a Pro Bowler in 2009.
Michigan's 2003 recruiting class was loaded, especially on defense, where the Wolverines landed Woodley, Shawn Crable, and Burgess, a Warren, Ohio, product ranked fifth overall. (Jake Long, an offensive tackle who would become the top overall pick in the NFL draft, was also in the class.)
Mostly playing linebacker, Burgess was very good, but never better than an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection. A sixth-round pick, Burgess appeared in 40 games for Baltimore over four seasons.
Michigan has had a bunch of other five-star recruits over the years, including Donovan Peoples-Jones (No. 12 in 2017), Daxton Hill (14 in 2019), and current Wolverine Will Johnson (15, 2022).
As far as quarterbacks, Michigan has landed seven in the top 100, including Mallett, Henne (No. 18 in 2004), and J.J. McCarthy (25 in 2021). Henne was a four-year starter and McCarthy led Michigan to the national championship before becoming a top-10 NFL draft pick.
Time will tell how Underwood performs at Michigan, how long he stays in Ann Arbor, and what his professional future holds. One thing is certain now: On Thursday, Michigan scored its biggest win of the season.